Are You Good With Your Hands?

I’m always a bit jealous of those guys (and ladies) who are, what we call, “good with their hands.” They can build things, fix things, create things. I know some guys who can build a table or deck, remodel a kitchen, and fix just about anything that breaks. They have skills, both natural and learned to do whatever may need  be done around the house, to help others, or make a living.  And they often use those skills to bless other people’s lives. 

When I see what some of these guys can accomplish with their hands, it makes me wish I had developed some of their skills myself somewhere along the way. But I didn’t. That means, I am often dependent on others to help me get certain things done around then house—which at times mean paying someone to do what I wish I could do on my own.  At times I may try to fix something or accomplish a task on my own, only to become frustrated or hit a dead end and then have to call someone in to help me—or even undo the mess I’ve made. (One time I actually cut the telephone wires within the house in which we were living, only to be told by a friend, “You stick to preaching, I’ll take care of your wiring!”) 

Of course, I need to remind myself that, although I can’t build a table or fix the plumbing, there are other things that I can do, according to God’s design and plan for my life. Without listing my own talents and gifts, I have to remind myself that I am uniquely designed and gifted by God to accomplish those things in life that he would have each me accomplish. And the same is true for each of us. 

The Apostle Paul put it this way, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 – NIV)  Notice that God has “good works” for each of us to accomplish. And he has created us and formed us in a very specific way (we are his “handiwork” or “workmanship”) that we might fulfill his purposes for our lives.  

Admittedly, I’m not very good with my hands. So, I guess it’s not been in God’s plan for my life to be able to build a table, fix the plumbing, renovate a kitchen, etc. Yet, I know that I have been gifted by God and called by him to do exactly what he would have me do with my life—to fulfill the “good works” he’s planned for my life. 

And the same is true for you as well—whether or not you are “good with your hands!” 

Have a great day!

- Pastor Tim Harris