4Day
What Is Your Left-handedness ?
Daniel Buck , OMS Hungary
Judges 3:15-16 ( HCSB )
Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord , and he raised up Ehud son of Gera , a left-handed Benjaminite , as a deliverer for them . The Israelites sent him with the tribute for King Eglon of Moab . Ehud made himself a double-edged sword eighteen inches long . He strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes …
Some of the biggest pushbacks to missions I hear include , “ Missionaries have skills I just don ’ t have ,” or “ I ’ m not theologically trained , so I can ’ t serve .” This is where the beauty of Ehud ’ s story comes in .
His qualification to serve God in his context was his left-handedness … not his ability to speak , lead , build , or fight . God knew that when the enemy ’ s guards would check Ehud for a sword , they would check the wrong leg — his left leg , not his right . This advantage proved especially important ; in Ehud ’ s time , being left-handed was not only uncommon but was actually viewed as evil .
Like Ehud , missionaries and ministers are not holier than other people or even set apart like the Levitical priests in the Old Testament . They are simply people God has called who responded with a yes , despite things , such as left-handedness , that culture says could get in their way .
What preconceived notions do you have about missions that stop you from exploring it ? How has God created you that gives you a unique way to serve him ? Where is God calling you to serve him in your context ?
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