But, What About My Left Hand?

“All in favor raise your right hand.” But I was left-handed until the third grade when a teacher thought left-handedness was a sign of a slow learner and switched me. Did that mean I was discriminated against, because we always voted with our right hands? In church we were always implored to greet new members with the “right hand of Christian fellowship.” Was there no such fellowship in my left hand? I was later to learn that the right hand was the favored hand in most cultures, a symbol of power and authority in many. The “right hand” was the hand of blessing in Genesis 48:17. It was described as a cherishing embrace in Song of Solomon 2:6. Paul describes Jesus as “sitting at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). In Revelation 1:16, John talks about Jesus and His relationship to the Church (“the seven stars”) and says He held them “in His right hand,” then writes, “He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid’” (Revelation 1:17) reminding the reader of Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. . . I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” So, what about the left hand? Injure your right hand and you will quickly learn the value of your left. The good news is that the left hand is as much a part of the body as the right and that’s true of the physical body, as well as The Body of Christ, for we are “many members” but are a part of “one body” (Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 20). Let’s hear it today for the left-handed saints of God!

Join me in remembering the following global prayer concerns:
• Pray for Lynn and Sandra as they lead the Capital City Baptist Church in Mexico City.
• Pray for Joe and others who serve in eastern Ukraine.
• Rejoice with Eric and Tricia in the adoption of Hudson, before they head back to Thailand.
• Pray for those who serve in eastern Hungary as they follow-up on Easter contacts.
• Give thanks and pray for a retired couple who have chosen to commit two years to initiate a new church plant in White Rock, B.C., Canada (metro Vancouver).