Holy Hands

“Cling to your faith in Christ & have a clear conscience.” – Timothy

Around about 64 A.D, which was 31 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, Paul was imprisoned for the second time.

These had to be days of desolation for Paul. Thankfully, he obviously did not waste time in self-pity.

It was during this period of intense persecution Paul wrote his beloved son in the faith, Timothy, crystal-clear instruction on taking on the leadership role he was no longer able to perform.

As I study Paul’s fatherly counsel to Timothy my mind drifts to the remarkable Timothy’s in my life. Paul had lots of think time in his Roman prison cell. I delight in my think time.

For 50 years my many Timothy’s have inspired me to strive to be a man of Holy Hands. I enjoy washing my dirty hands with quality soap. I love a hot cleansing shower with precious shampoo and conditioner.

Even more delightful is experiencing the reality of Paul’s penetrating words, “There is one God and one mediator, the man Christ Jesus” who makes it possible to pray with holy hands and a clear conscience.

Today in my Secret Garden I asked the Lord to make it possible to go through the day with holy hands lifted high. It brings me immeasurable joy to say along with St Paul, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”