Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus
I remember it like it was yesterday. Maybe it’s because five years isn’t a very long time, or maybe it’s because my life was so greatly affected by it. In May of 2011, I was diagnosed with a nerve condition that left six of my toes immobile. There were days I wasn’t quite sure I’d be able to walk around. There were days I believed I’d never walk again. And then flashback to almost eighteen years ago, when I was sitting in a hospital bed before being wheeled back for a hand surgery that doctors told my parents would leave a majority of my left hand paralyzed. And here I am today. Eighteen years later with hands that cook, that hold a camera, that write words, that play music, that plant flowers. With feet that walk, toes that are a little temperamental, but feet that move. And looking back to those years spent in pain, I look back with overwhelming gratitude that my God loves me more than enough to give me movement in my limbs, to give life to my bones, and to allow me to move and walk and talk and be active for Him.
So when this month came around with the theme of being the hands and feet of Jesus, my heart leapt at the chance to share what that means. It means more than having hands and feet. It means more than having limbs that move. It means being completely selfless with our lives and giving completely for the sake of the Kingdom of Jesus. It means being available, being missional, being capable, and being willing with everything He has given us, for the sake of letting Him use our stories, use our gifts and talents, and use our voices to grow the body of Christ.
It becomes so easy to take for granted what He’s given us. To take for granted the ten toes and ten fingers He has given us. To take for granted these physical bodies. Though they weary and tire, they ache and bring pain, they fail and will not live forever, we have the hope that there is a body waiting for us in the presence of Jesus that will be eternal. That will be rid of pain. And in this life, if He uses our pain and our stories to bring more to Him, wouldn’t that be MORE than enough!?
Being the hands and feet of Jesus means giving of ourselves. It means picking up our cross and doing something. It means being and doing and living for the sake of Jesus Christ. He has called us out of darkness and into the light. He has called us, His Church, to serve the lost and the broken, to reach the hurting and weak, and to love.
God expects us to love and serve as He has loved us. Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” If there is one verse for you to memorize this year, it’s this. To be His disciples, the salt and LIGHT of the earth, proclaiming the truth and victory in Jesus Christ, that He has given us life, so we may speak life to those around us!
Looking at Jesus, Isaiah 61:1-2 says, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn.” He came down from the mountain and great multitudes followed Him. And when the leper came to Him in Matthew chapter 8, the leper asks, if He is able, to heal him. And in that very moment, Jesus cleansed the body of that man. When Jesus walked on this earth as a man, He healed the sick, He embraced the orphans, and He challenges us as His children to do something.
Our Papa, our very Creator and giver of life gave us the ultimate example by laying down His life and gave everything He had. 1 Peter 2:21 says, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you and me, leaving us an example, that we should follow in His steps.”
So for the remainder of this month, we’re challenging you to be bold for the Kingdom of Jesus, because HE has commanded us to be. To BE. We are Delight and BE and this month, we want to BE the hands and feet of our God. Pick up your toes and wiggle them around, and use the hands He has given you to love and serve those around you. It means calling a friend you haven’t heard from in months. It means inviting strangers over for a home cooked meal. It means delivering coffee to a co worker. It means being brave. It means stepping out of your circle and comfort zone and letting Him use your story to proclaim His name. It means DOING something. You cannot expect Jesus to use your story and use your life unless you are willing. Often times, we justify not giving of our time or money or efforts by assuming that someone else will do it. And in Matthew chapter 9, Jesus said that the harvest is great, but the workers are few. And we will raise up more workers for Jesus by being being the example. Jesus needs us to be the example, to be the workers in the field. To tell those around us that they matter. That their stories are valuable. And there is life found in Jesus Christ.
Join us on this challenge by using the hashtag #delightandbeHishandsandfeet. Share with US the experiences and stories that happen as you DO big things for Him this month. Be brave for the sake of our King!!!! He has CALLED us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. His WORD is a light unto our path. All of us together make up the body of Christ, each of us is a part of it.
xo,
Emily Moller (@emilymoller_)
pc : Laural Lee
