by Danny Barnhill

Throughout the Bible, God often takes those wounded, maimed, or hurting and makes them whole. While He could replace the damaged with something new, He chooses to renew, restore, or revive what’s presented to Him.

There’s a great example found in Mark 3:1 (ESV):

“Again he (Jesus) entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand.

Mark introduces us to this man yet tells us little about him.  We don’t know his name, his age or his occupation. But we know on this day, he was in a synagogue with Jesus, and the man had a withered hand.

The ancient Greek word Mark uses to describe his hand is “xeros,” which means dried or shrunken. The tense of the word used suggests the hand had not always been this way. Something had happened. Some catastrophic event had caused his hand to go from vibrant and strong to lifeless and drawn

Luke’s gospel adds that the damage was to the man’s right hand—likely his working hand—the hand of strength and power. His wound had left him powerless to perform as he once did.

                Maybe he was a farmer, but now he can’t hold the plow.

Maybe he was a carpenter, but now he can’t hold his tools.

                Maybe … maybe he was a writer. But now he can’t write.

                His loss of joy had turned his heart into a mirror of his hand.

Wounded. Withered. Lifeless.

                On this day, the desperate man came to the synagogue. He clutched the root of his bitterness to his chest, wrapped and hidden from view. A cold shudder ran down his spine as Jesus entered. He turned in shame and tried to hide in the packed room. But Jesus saw him and called the man forward.

                His heart pounded. His knees were weak. His breath, shallow and fast. He inched forward and dropped his head before the gazing crowd.

                “… Stretch out your hand …” (Mark 3:5b ESV)

                The voice of Jesus emanated with power and authority unlike any he had ever heard. The command penetrated his very soul. Without lifting his head, he peered into the gentle gaze of the Master.

                Jesus’ message rang clear in his mind:

Stop hiding. Unveil what makes you feel unworthy.

                He lifted his shoulders and shrugged off the invisible weight he had carried for so long. As women gasped and men stared, he unwrapped his horror. His left hand pushed the shriveled limb outward to the Savior.

                First a tingle, a twitch, and then a jerk. In an instant, life, power, and joy was restored.

                The startled man staggered and almost fell to his knees. His wide eyes streamed tears of joy. His lips moved, yet no words came out. Jesus smiled.

                What a life changing moment. New life lifted from the ashes of despair.

So How is Your Hand?

  As writers, we too may develop a withered hand. We know what it is to be hurt—maybe not physically, but emotionally. An editor’s red marker or a critic’s piercing tongue may cause us to pool in sorrow instead of flow with joy.

Often, our wounds are not from the outside, but from within. The lies we embrace weave webs of deceit in our minds and diminish our efforts. The strands become strong as steel cables, binding us to our fear and doubt.

Our wounded spirit shrivels and our writing hand withers.

Today as it was 2000 years ago, Jesus is present. Listen. Jesus is calling to you;     “Stretch out your hand.”

                You’ve heard His call to write, and you’ve accepted with pen in hand—but will you respond to His command?

                Stretch out the pain and shame of your past.

                Stretch out the doubts and uncertainties about your future.

                Stretch out your writing hand in faith.

                Right now, take a long look into the eyes of Mercy. Stretch out your wound before the Healer. If you will, God can turn your withered writing hand … into a hand of power for His glory.

From his home in beautiful Galivants Ferry, SC (the garden spot of the world) Danny utilizes decades of singing, teaching and speaking the gospel message into his newly discovered passion of writing. He crafts true inspirational stories, imaginative fictional stories and dramatic biblical narratives he hopes will touch hearts, inspire Christians, and exalt the Savior.

Danny and his wife Susie have been married for 44 years. They enjoy good coffee, great restaurants and “small-town hopscotch”. Recently, they’ve been blessed with the most beautiful grandson in the world, Michael.

When he’s not in his office in Myrtle Beach, you can find Danny inland where the moss hangs heavy on the old oak trees and the fish grow large in the cool black rivers. Sipping coffee or cutting the grass, his mind is always preparing the next story for a message, song or story.

Danny is currently working on his website:  DannyBarnhill.com

Forthcoming Email:   Danny@DannyBarnhill.com

You can also reach him by email:   Dannyb0822@yahoo.com

FaceBook:  https://www.facebook.com/danny.barnhill.5201/