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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

I Want To Hold Your Hand

Studies have shown that touch is a very powerful thing. Premature babies are noted to respond to the touch of their parents stroking their tiny hand through an opening in the incubator. The power of touch conveys a sense of safety and security as well as comfort. Parents will take their children by the hand to protect and guide them when crossing the street. When a person is afraid holding their hand says to them, "I'm right here with you." During an uncomfortable medical procedure or pain stemming from an illness, holding the person's hand lets them know that although you can't experience the pain for them, you can be their strength. Hand holding in a dating or marriage relationship says "I love you and I want to be connected to you." Even in the process of dying, there is an unspoken moment in the holding of the hand that exists between the dying person and their surviving relative that helps the dying person make the transition to the afterlife. Hand holding is an intimate experience. Did you know God wants to hold your hand? I was recently meditating during my time with the Lord and seeking some reassurance from Him as I continue to wait upon His direction for the next season in my life. I was drawn to Isaiah 42:6a, "I, the Lord have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. (italics mine) The Lord wants to be that intimate with us. He wants to be our comfort and strength. He wants us to know He's right there with us when we are afraid and He will keep us safe in His care. He wants us to know He loves us and wants to be connected to us. And when it is our time to leave this life and walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is right there to transition us to the life everlasting if we have trusted in Him. Yes, God came down and took the hand of a young virgin named Mary as the infant Jesus. And as He grew into a man, Jesus throughout the gospels literally touched many people, even the so-called "untouchables", "sinners", and "outcasts." Likewise, they were allowed to touch Him. So let us not hesitate to touch another person, literally holding their hand. Because the God who created the universe reaches out to us everyday and says, "I want to hold your hand through all the seasons of your life."
Have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year !
Pastor Sheree

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