The Many Hands of God
by Andy Perry

Not long ago our family was having a ‘let your hair down’ goofy evening when my son Carson ran behind my wife so I could not see him. Suddenly, he shot out his arms and began waving them under hers saying, “Dad look! Mom has four hands!” I couldn’t help laughing at how much my wife suddenly resembled one of those multi-armed Buddha statues we’ve all seen. Though it made a funny game for a four year old, an extra set of hands certainly did not increase my wife’s beauty.

As it relates to the Body of Christ, though, an increase of hands has the power to increase its beauty in great measure. I recently thought about this as I read a monthly newsletter from Action International, a missions organization working with street children and church leadership development. In addition to the reports from their many mission fields, consider this update from ministry in the African country of Malawi, one of the world’s poorest nations.

In partnership with Save Orphans Ministries, Action scheduled a four day camp in March for 600 children. It was planned to provide three meals and two snacks daily, a New Testament for each child, clothing, sports equipment and staff transportation. The first day 5,760 children showed up! Working with village leaders and assistants, the number was narrowed down to 3,000 children with a promise to have another camp at a future time for another 2,000.

The thought of hosting a camp for 600 blows some of our minds, but God clearly had something even bigger planned!

Especially at such times a Body of Christ with many hands becomes a beautiful thing. Reading that report got me thinking about the early days of the church recorded in the book of Acts. Do you remember how Luke concludes his story about Peter’s evangelistic sermon on the day of Pentecost? So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41) With so many suddenly a part of the church, it’s no wonder we read in verse 44 that many of them began selling their possessions and distributing the proceeds to all among them who were in need. A short time later Peter in John stood up in the Temple and proclaimed Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and “...many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.” (Acts 4:4)

Remember that still at this time they were only led by twelve men. How to care for them all? Enter Acts 6:1-7. Tensions were running high in the young church regarding helping both its Jewish and Greek widows. Apparently some thought it was the Apostles’ responsibility to ensure that food was equally distributed to all in the church who had genuine needs. They quickly corrected the complainers saying, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom whom we will appoint to this duty.” And that’s what happened. The Apostles freely exercised their God-given gifts and calling to teach and pray, and other godly believers arose with gifts of service and care. The result? “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem….” More hands emerged from the Body of Christ and the Lord counted it a beautiful thing.

Here at Trinity Church we are a Body with many hands. I personally want to take this opportunity to praise the Lord for His faithfulness in raising up so many godly men and women who selflessly dedicate their time, gifts and energy to building the Kingdom of God in our midst. When is the last time you have thought about all the people who regularly devote themselves to serve as elders, ministry directors, Sunday School teachers or Bible study leaders? I could go on to mention those involved regularly in our music ministry, nursery, the jail ministry, small group ministry, Awana, Welcome Team, and still others who help out with our facility and administrative needs or faithfully drive the van so those who can’t drive can find a way to church or their small group. If that is you, then I praise God for your desire to be an active ‘hand’ in Christ’s Body to His glory!

But perhaps that’s not you. Perhaps you’ve not yet taken the step toward putting your spiritual gifts to use in God’s church. Let me encourage you to consider what role you might play, what a blessing your ‘hand’ would prove, in building God’s Kingdom. In a few weeks we’ll be hosting a ministry fair on a Sunday morning, and many opportunities will present themselves. Which one will you choose? Please begin to pray about that now. With the Body of Christ, the more active hands, the more beautiful the body.