The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him….
(Ezra 8:22, KJV)
I love this truth. God’s hand is upon us when we seek Him! The good hand of the Lord gives us favor, blessings, strength and goodness.
Years ago, my husband and I took a ballroom dancing class. It was a lot of fun. One thing we learned in class was that the man always leads the dance with his hand! The woman responds to both the obvious and ever-so-subtle movements of her partner’s hand. Ever wondered how those “Dancing with the Stars” people make it look so easy? It’s all about following the leader’s hand!
In our class, it was my job to follow Jeff’s hand in the dance – to respond. I was not the leader and he reminded me of that numerous times – after I stepped on his feet! As the leader, he knew the next dance step he had in mind. He knew when he wanted me to “fling me out,” spin me around, move me closer to him or sway with the music. I had no idea what he would do next; the only way I could follow him was to pay attention to the pull, push or pressure of his hand moving me in the direction he wanted me to go. It took a while to get it, but eventually I realized my job was simple: Don’t lead, relax and follow his hand!
In the same way, we are to follow the hand of the Lord. The good hand of the Lord is a picture of God’s power, favor and leading. When we quit leading our own lives and relax and follow His hand, He leads the dance and guides us into a faith-filled adventure!
Today, quit leading, relax and just follow the Lord’s hand.
Say It:
Father, I am looking forward to learning some new ‘dance steps’ with You! Help me to recognize and follow Your hand. Thank You for leading me into favor, goodness, blessings – for ‘flinging me into the world’ as you desire and for spinning my life around as You see fit. I look forward to a fresh faith-filled adventure as I follow the good hand of the Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
As a young couple, fresh out of Bible School with Two daughters and a third child on the way, Jeff and Beth Jones felt God's call to pioneer Valley Family Church in 1991 with a vision to make an eternal difference in Southwest Michigan. As a husband and wife team, they have always led together as visionary pastors and have shared the pulpit as Bible teachers. They are passionate about building the local church in greater Kalamazoo and the global church around the world.
Their message has always been focused on the basics of the Bible and has remained consistent since VFC's beginning. Throughout VFC's history, the goal of their teaching has been to help people live an abundant life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and through faith in God's Word. In short, it's our mission statement: we exist to help people become devoted followers of Jesus who get the Bible basics, live the life and do the stuff.
Jeff and Beth have four kids and four grandchildren. Meghan is married to Brodie Hock. Annie is married to Zack Spangler. Luke is married to Kelsey Jones. Eric is married to Alexa Jones. All of their kids and in-laws have served with them in the church for many years and each sense their own unique calling to ministry.