I Am A Left-Hand Man.
If this sounds
strange to you, you are in good company. It took me a while to accept it
myself. Yet curiously, I am not left-handed. I write with my right hand, kick
with my right foot, and sight with my right eye. My life is what is left-handed.
Let me explain it this way. Think about what the left hand does for a
right-handed person. It holds the nail while the right hand hammers; all the
while hoping the right hand hits the “right” nail. It holds the book while the
right hand points out the interesting parts. It holds out the award while the right hand
gets to shake the famous person’s right hand. It stays at the side during a right-handed
salute. It holds the wallet while the money is pulled out, yes, by the right
hand. If a finger gets cut while preparing a meal, it will be on the left hand.
It takes the impact of the baseball while the short stop’s right hand gets
credit for a “nice out” at first base. Basically, it supports everything the
right hand does.
When
I turned 40, I did my usual “where am I?” personal survey. At first I was
disappointed in the things I hadn’t achieved. I hadn’t written a best seller. I still didn’t
have my Master’s degree. I had put myself heart and soul into raising my 5 children. After some soul searching,
God helped me realize that my ministry was not really about me, but to use my
talents to support others.
This
was tremendously freeing. Think about Obed. What do we know about him? He was
the son of Boaz, and the father of Jesse, David’s father. He lived; he died. He
may have done some amazing things; he may have lead a completely boring life. Yet
if he had not done all the things a human father must do to support his family,
there would be no David. And since Jesus was to be from the line of David, there
would be no Joseph to raise Jesus. Obed’s real job was to make sure the line
continued.
So
it’s not about me, it’s about all the others I’m supposed to support. Are you
frustrated by your lack of noticeable achievement? Maybe you are one of God’s
supporting characters. Don’t be disappointed! You are more important than you
will ever know.
