On The Other Hand - Audio

Greater Life Church

Decisions are a part of life. Most of us will make a list, weigh the pros and cons, and decide how to proceed. For some, however, decision-making is paralyzing. They may go through the same pro and con analysis, but then they worry about making the wrong decision or disappointing themselves, someone else, or even God. Often, people who find it challenging to make a decision will make no decision, which can result in an even bigger mess. Too often, we see our relationship with God as too fragile to withstand disappointing Him. In some situations, our decisions can alter the course of our lives; however, our relationship with God is not a pass/fail. If we make a wrong choice, the path back to God is one simple step. That one step toward an alter can change the direction, but making that step can be difficult. The enemy wants us to believe everyone is watching and picking out our flaws. In our text, Jesus enters the synagogue. The Pharisees knew why Jesus was there and attempted to entrap Him by asking if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus refutes their trap and asks the man to stretch out his hand. All there knew of his condition. This man may have been active in the church and doing his best with his good hand. Many of us in this situation may have extended the good hand because we are ashamed of the withered one, but Jesus wanted to heal the withered one. We may be doing good work with what we have. We may serve in many capacities, but Jesus wants to make us whole so we can do good works with both hands. We are all caught between the urge to hide our brokenness and the call to be healed. Will we keep holding back or respond to the master when He calls?