A yellow jersey in my hands is worth about $30. In Lance Armstrong’s about $10 million in endorsements. A baseball bat in my hand is worth about $50. A bat in Manny Ramirez’ hands is worth about $30 million. A basketball in my hands is worth about $20. In Michael Jordan’s it’s worth about $33 million. A walking stick in my hands can be used to scare snakes and keep me upright on a rugged trail. A walking stick in Moses’ hands can part the Red Sea. A slingshot in my hands could hurt somebody, probably me more than anyone else, but a slingshot in the hands of the shepherd boy who became Israel’s greatest king brought down an evil giant. Nails in my hands can build a birdhouse. Nails in Jesus’ hands made the way of salvation and forgiveness of sins for the whole world: “For God So love the world he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).
Problems in my hands usually get messier. Problems I put into the hands of Jesus always get worked on in ways that amaze me and bless me eventually: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose… Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 3:20 NIV).
________
Pastor’s Prayer Update; source: Monday Fodder; http://www.fishermansnet.com/monday-fodder/