A Bigger Hand Than Mine

By Ronald Bartanan

 

   A little girl was in a country store with her mother when, after the mother had made her purchases, the store’s owner invited the girl to reach her hand into a bowl full of candy and help herself.  Surprising to her mother, she declined. The store-owner was also surprised, and asked the girl, “What’s the matter? Don’t you like candy?”  She nodded that she did.  The man then put his hand into the bowl and brought out a handful, dropping it into her handbag.  Upon leaving the store, the mother asked her daughter why she had at first refused the kind man’s offer. “Because his hand is bigger than mine,” was her reply.

      What are you able to gain in your life? Most go through life grasping for as much happiness as they can.  All gain a little here and a little there, but invariably finding themselves in short supply.  They may seek it in material wealth, in worldly pleasure or in popularity, only to discover that in the end they are woefully lacking in true happiness.

   God would have us to learn that His hands are bigger than ours, and He is capable of abundantly supplying the fullness of life our hearts truly crave.  In His ministry among folks whose basic desires were much like our own, Jesus announced, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).  The apostle Paul assured the Philippian believers, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).  Apart from Jesus Christ, however, we are left to our own devices, which are always inadequate.  Early Christians suffered much for their faith in Christ, but God’s hand was big.  Paul could write to such, urging, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). 

   Are you desiring true fullness and meaning in life? Then remember: God’s hand is bigger thanyours.

- Ronald Bartanen preaches for Arthur church of Christ, Arthur, IL.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com