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Don't forget to use two hands
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Having two hands sure is a blessing.
With the dominant hand, many Christians accomplish great things with the intention of imitating Jesus — showing our love for him and the people he created. They share the Gospel with their friends. They donate money to phenomenal nonprofit organizations. They notice and offer help to obviously troubled people.
At the same time, a lot of people also forget to use the off hand — something Nehemiah could teach us a lot about.
This incredible man of faith was a cupbearer for KIng Artaxerxes of Persia after Jerusalem had been decimated (read the book of Nehemiah in the Bible's Old Testament). He made an incredibly bold move, after an extended period of intense prayer, by asking his "boss" to allow and even facilitate Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the city.
What happened next would have sent most people running in the opposite direction. Surrounding adversaries wanted nothing more than to derail the Jews' "downtown revitalization" plans. They ridiculed and even plotted to fight the Jews.
But Nehemiah responded with wisdom. He and his countrymen used strategy and hard work to fend off their opponents. They even utilized their off hands: "Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword as his side as he worked," according to Nehemiah 17-18a.
It's not easy to work and fight simultaneously, but engaged Christians should be doing it all the time. They should be loving others through evangelism, charity, friendship, etc. At the same time, they must be wary of verbal, physical and spiritual attacks from the enemy.
Satan "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour," 1 Peter 5:8 states. It's easy to succumb to the temptation of doubt and embarrassment when one's efforts appear to fall flat or are mocked by family, friends or acquaintances.
That's why the off hand is so important. It allows Christians to wield the Bible, incessant prayer, the Holy Spirit, fellowship with believers, etc. while not dismissing the eternity-minded work that should be prominent in our lives.
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