by Jay Launius, Maud Church of Christ, Maud, TX
I’m left-handed and throughout my life it has been a source of both inconvenience and at times downright difficult. For instance, when I started school as a kid the desk we sat at were right-handed, totally opened on the left side. When I tried to write or draw my left arm was up in the air, and had no support. Other school supplies caused some frustration as well, the spiral bound notebook for example. That spiral wire is right in the way of my left hand. Everyday utensils that are geared for a right-hand world. Scissors are a source of constant frustration, try using a pair of scissors to cut fabric using you’re left hand and it’s like a toothless dog trying to eat a bone, it gnaws at it but nothing happens! Other items seem to cater to the “righties” like a computer mouse, musical instruments, and even firearms. There are the names associated with being left handed, “lefty” and “southpaw” come to mind. I’ve always wondered why we don’t have “right-paws.” Yep, it’s a right-handed world alright, geared to the majority.
If you think about it, being a Christian is a lot like being left-handed. Christians are not in the majority and sometimes find it hard to fit into a non-Christian world. We are to be unique, different, not conformed to the world around us (Romans 12:1-2). We are to be “peculiar” people (Titus 2:14 AKJV) who refuse to fit into the mold of a sinful society. Take a look at your life and ask yourself, “Am I so different that those around me can tell or do I just fit in with everybody else?” We are to be so different that others notice and ask why we are not quite like everyone else. Notice Peter’s comment, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). One of the judges of Israel was a unique individual by the name of Ehud (Judges 3:12-26). Ehud was wise, a good planner and he was left-handed and by looking at his example we can see just how important it is to be a unique child of God.