God’s Hand in our lives
A creek and walking trail run through the center of a local forested park. It’s a beautiful spot, with several small bridges that cross the creek, making great places for creek watching.
Near one of the bridges is a small clearing and “beach” where local kids love to play, kindergartens do field trips, and one of the local forest schools meets. On the edge of the clearing stands an ancient hollow tree.
This tree is the perfect size for kids to climb through, and for adults to fit in. At the entrance, you will find a spot where the old bark has been rubbed smooth and polished by thousands of loving touches from the kids. They touch it when climbing in or out, and often simply rub their hands along it because it’s smooth and polished. I had to give it a rub myself.
I’ve seen something similar in old wooden banisters or the back of ancient church pews. The tiny amount of oil in each hand’s touch shapes, smooths, and polishes the wood.
There is a sense in which, on every day of our lives, the Lord lovingly touches us. He molds us, shapes us, and directs us. If we were able to see, I suspect we might look lovingly shaped and polished as well.
There is nothing about us that escapes His notice.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16
But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace. Galatians 1:5
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29
He knows us and shapes each of us individually.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Each day, He continues to work in us and will not leave the job unfinished.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
No matter what life throws our way, we remain secure. Our circumstances might change radically, and life is far from easy much of the time. Still, we can hold fast knowing the hands that hold us.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me,is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. John 10:28-30
There will come a day when we will see what His loving hands have shaped us to be. What rejoicing there will be on that day.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed,
Kevin
