The Hand in the Glove

We use gloves for a number of different reasons. We may wear gloves when we work with tools like a shovel or rake so that we don’t get blisters or splinters; we may wear gloves when we work on our cars to keep our hands clean; we may wear gloves when we work with raw meat so that we don’t get sick. Many professionals wear gloves—mechanics, surgeons, crime scene investigators, burglars. OK, maybe that last one is a bad example. 

As useful as gloves are, they are worthless on their own. Just because I own a pair of gloves doesn’t mean that the gloves will rake my leaves or change my tire. On their own gloves are just material. Once I put my hand inside the glove it seemingly comes to life, and the glove is limited only by my own abilities. I like to think of the Holy Spirit as being the hand inside the glove. We are the glove, and even though there are a lot of jobs for us—a lot of ways in which we can minister—on our own we are powerless. Once we are saved and filled with God’s Spirit there is no limit to what we can accomplish; we are entrusted with a spiritual gift, and we are empowered to use that gift for the kingdom of God. On our own we can do nothing, but through Him all things are possible. 

In Acts 1:8 Jesus told the disciples, “You will receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses..” When the Holy Spirit comes on us, when the hand enters the glove, we get power. Notice that it is a power that does something. The Holy Spirit does not enter us just for something to do, but because He has something for us to do. Jesus mentioned being witnesses for Him, and that can be accomplished in a number of ways. We can be witnesses through preaching and teaching, through showing mercy, through helping others, through giving, and through living the everyday Christian life. The fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit help us to do just that. 

Is there a hand in your glove? Is God’s Spirit giving you the power to do something for Him? If the answer is no, you need to give your life to the Lord and allow Him to use you. If the answer is yes, then I hope you are using your gift, letting the Spirit use you in order to make an impact in God’s kingdom.