Engaging in God’s Heart for the Nations: 30-Day Devotionalნიმუში

What Is Your Left-Handedness? – Day 4

Daniel Buck, OMS Global Ministries

Judges 3:15-16 (ESV)

“Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab. And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length, and he bound it on 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 viewed as evil.

Like Ehud, missionaries and ministers are not holier than others, nor are they set apart like the Levitical priests in the Old Testament. They are simply people whom God has called, and who responded with a 'yes,' despite things like left-handedness that culture says could get in their way.

What preconceived notions do you have about missions that stop you from exploring them?

How has God created you in a unique way to serve him?

Where is God calling you to serve him in your context?