WHOSE HANDS?

		
A basketball in MY hands is worth about $19.  A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is 
worth about $33 million.  It depends on whose hands it's in!  A baseball in my hands is 
worth about $6!  A baseball in Mark McGuire's hands is worth about $19 million.  It 
depends on whose hands it's in!  A tennis racket is USELESS in my hands.  A tennis 
racket in Venus Williams' hands is a Wimbledon Championship.  It depends on whose 
hands it's in!  A rod in MY hands might keep away a wild animal.  A rod in Moses' hands 
will part the Red Sea.  It depends on whose hands it's in!  A slingshot in my hands is a 
kid's toy.  A slingshot in David's hands is a mighty weapon.  It depends on whose hands 
it's in!  Two fish and five loaves of bread in my hands are a couple of fish sandwiches.  Two 
fish and five loaves in God's hands will feed five thousand.  It depends on whose hands it's 
in!  Nails in my hands only produces scars!  Nails in Jesus' hands secured salvation for the 
entire world.  IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHOSE HANDS IT'S IN!
	
I saw that story recently.   I don't know who the author is but I was impressed by the 
insights into life and, more specifically, our relationship with God.
	
First, it is important that we all realize that God has given to each of us different gifts, 
appropriate for our own personalities and calling.  In 1 Peter 4:10, we read "Each one 
should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering 
God's grace in its various forms."  What an awesome sight to witness someone using 
their gift to the glory of God.
	
This leads us to the second insight—gifts and talents should be used to God's glory and 
not to our own.  It is God who can take both our strengths and our weaknesses and turn 
them into incredible tools for His usage.  Of one's weaknesses, Paul wrote, "For to be 
sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are 
weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you" (2 Cor 13:4).  If 
God can take our weaknesses and turn them into power, what can he do with our 
strengths.  That is why Paul praised God with these words, "Now to him who is able to 
do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is 
at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all 
generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Eph 3:20-21).
	
So remember, when it comes to our gifts, talents, and, yes, even our very lives—IT ALL 
DEPENDS ON WHOSE HANDS THEY'RE IN!