I grocery shop every week. I usually have a granddaughter that wants to tag along and most of the time it is Liza or Lottie. This past week it was Liza. She gets out of the car and immediately grabs my hand. She knows we are in the parking lot and that it's best to hold an adult's hand.
It's such a sweet feeling when she reaches for my hand because she realizes I will take care of her. I've thought a lot about holding hands this week. When my children were little, they would always hold my hand when we were walking in a parking lot or going somewhere they were not familiar with.
Children hold our hands because it makes them feel safe, comforts them, and gives them direction. I was thinking about me, as an adult, and how sometimes I just want someone to hold my hand. Lately, there have been times when I just need the safety and security of knowing I am loved, and my hand is held. I definitely need someone leading me and giving me direction, especially right now with the decisions and trials we face.
As I was thinking about this it was like God whispered to me, "Jill, I am here. My hand is reaching out to you and all you need to do is just hold it." Isn't that the truth!
First of all, choosing to hold God's hand as I am walking through life provides a safe place for me to reside. I am reminded of an incident with our youngest daughter, Missie, when she was about eight years old. Her older sister had just asked Jesus into her heart to be her Savior. We were talking about her getting saved.
Missie came to me a little later and she said she wanted to be "safe." She thought we were saying "safe" instead of "saved." Actually, accepting Jesus does give you the safety of knowing you have the security and promise of heaven. In John 10:27-28, the Bible says "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." Take God's hand for the security of eternal life.
Another reason to choose to hold God's hand is for comfort and direction. There are times in this life that are painful. It's not easy. Isaiah 41:13 says "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." God reminds us that no matter what we are struggling with or facing, He is there. He is the calm in the storm, offers peace in His presence, and has the strength to hold us when we are weak. We just need to hold His hand.
Psalm 139 is all about how God is always with us. God knows everything we think, say, and do, which is more than my mind can even comprehend. There is nowhere we can go that God is not there. He is always available to guide us, we just have to listen and take His hand. His love can overcome our fears. I read a quote that said "When we put our cares in God's hands, He puts His peace in our heart."
Holding God's hand provides peace. There is also joy when we leave everything in God's hands. It allows us the opportunity to recognize God's comfort, security, and direction for each new day. If we choose to hold God's hand, we choose to allow Him to guide us.
When I am grasping His hand, it reassures me of His presence and promises to never leave me. He has a grip on my life and will never let go. I don't know about you, but this gives me the courage and hope to face whatever this day might bring.
I thought about a song we probably all learned as children, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." It is just a reminder to me that we are led, comforted, safe, and secure when we are holding God's hand. Whose hand are you holding today? I am reaching for the hand of my Savior. I know He has a hand big enough for you to hold as well.
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Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.