Daily Devotional – I’m Normal.™ I AM Ministries
“To promote Godly living in a culture committed to destroying it”
Sunday, May 1, 2016
The Hand You Have Left
Comedian Jimmy Durante often traveled overseas to entertain our troops. On one of his trips, he was asked to do a quick performance at a stop they had made. He hesitated, knowing he needed to be in another place in a few minutes and somewhere else for a show shortly after that. But, in the end, he agreed to do a quick, five-minute appearance.
Cognizant of Jimmy’s tight agenda, his concerned staff waited expectantly backstage. They were prepared to hustle him off the moment he departed the stage. Jimmy started his routine. The promised five minutes went by. Then ten minutes, fifteen minutes, twenty. Almost thirty minutes later he walked off the stage. “Jimmy!” they cried. “What happened to the five-minute show?”
Jimmy replied, “There were two men in the front row. One had lost his right arm. The other had lost his left arm. Every time I would tell a joke, they would each take the hand they had left and use it with the other man to clap for me. I just couldn’t stop.”
Sometimes God takes away a part of us that we miss dearly. Perhaps it’s a spouse, our eyesight, hearing, or other physical ability, or our limbs. Perhaps he has moved us to a new location where we feel lost and ineffective. Perhaps He’s caused us to change jobs with a net loss in income, or a decreased ability and security we formerly enjoyed and relied upon for our day-to-day existence. These losses make us feel weak and not completely whole.
Scripture tells us, “For when I am weak, then I am Strong.” Paul reminds us of His view in 2 Corinthians 12:10. Jesus Himself reminded Paul that “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9). The power displayed by the weakness of the two men Jimmy Durante witnessed had a pull so intense that Mr. Durante was incapable of leaving the stage. The spirit they showed in their weakness was a testament to God’s awesome power.
Jesus calls us to persevere despite our weaknesses. This may mean working together with others as the wounded soldiers did, putting down our pride and working as a team. It may mean moving on without a loved one or without our accustomed level of financial resources (Luke 21:1-4). The weaknesses God sends us perfect our being and allow us to rely on Him for all things, drawing us into a closer spiritual relationship with Him.
Whatever the situation, God assures us in His Word that weakness is normal. Not only is weakness normal, it is the perfection of His power. Be encouraged today that whatever weakness you have received or will receive is normal and God and our LORD Jesus Christ will be glorified through your perseverance. Just remember to use the hand you have left to glorify Him.
In His love and service,
Jeff Myers
A servant of Jesus Christ
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