Writing with the Other Hand

The process of Christlikeness is counter-intuitive.

It goes against the grain of natural self and the ego. Usually, for a new Christian who is set on following Jesus, things get real messy and much more difficult before they get easier.

Imagine a right-handed person penning his own autobiography. In the middle of the story a doctor diagnoses the writer with severe arthritics in the right hand. His condition is so debilitating it will create permanent paralysis if the writing continues. The only sensible solution is to stop using that hand. "But", the eager author pleads to the doctor, "I'm in the middle of penning my own life story. I can't quit now. I was born to write."

Now, imagine if you will, the doctor contacting the writer and stating that the author could continue his masterpiece, but must learn to write with his left hand.

After much thought the decision is made to surrender to the doctors orders. He dies to the use of his right-hand forever, and for the first time in his life places the pen in the other hand and begins penning his first sentence.

As the pen touches the paper, it feels quite awkward. His hand shakes. It's uncomfortable and the tendency is to default back to the old way of doing things. It requires much concentration and intention and effort and energy and patience to even get through one paragraph. As he continues, the preceding pages look real messy. Hardly legible.

Page after page he endures. Daily the temptation to go back to the old hand, the old way of doing things. Sure, he intellectually knows that that hand no longer serves him well, and continued use will lead to paralysis. But despite that knowledge, the old way is so. . .so comfortable, so normal.

As time continues the grip becomes more natural. The left hand stronger. The writing more clear. The counter-intuitive nature begins defining itself as the "new normal". Confidence is gained, and with it a the pathway of liberation.

The gospel is like learning to write with the other hand. Let me explain.

When we come to Christ we are called to lay down the normal ways that we had always done things. Jesus beckons us to forsake the usual way we have gotten on in life, and follow His way. Which sounds good on paper. . .and then life happens and we find that the way of Jesus, the way of the gospel is so counter-intuitive. His is a kingdom where everything we are called to think, believe and do runs so backward, so upside-down to the way we had always lived. Yes, following Jesus is like having to learn how to write with a brand new hand. Living the gospel is an uncomfortable to our default life. It both disrupts and transforms the story we're penning all at once.

If the implications of the gospel you believe in doesn't feel abnormal, uncomfortable or counter-intuitive to your natural leanings, then you may not be fully embracing the gospel according to Jesus. The gospel changes everything. And, we feel how against the grain it really is when we start living like Jesus did.

In what ways are you finding the gospel counter-intuitive? In what ways is Jesus teaching you to write with the other hand?

. How does your congregation help folks learn write with the other hand?