Jesus Handles

Song of Solomon 3:4 – It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go. (KJV)

Often while I drive my husband's car with him as a passenger, he will hang onto the handle above the window, and promptly fall asleep. Soon after, completely relaxed, his hand will slip away, leaving the handle to snap back into place with a tremendously sharp "thwap"!

The first few times it happened, I was jolted out of my wits thinking either the car had backfired or a tire had been blown to pieces.

As we entered a rented car this Christmas with our daughter at the helm, I alerted her to her dad's habit, to which she responded: "They're called Jesus handles, mom." With no further explanation, I realized why. People hang onto the handles as a safety measure when they feel unsafe, unsure, insecure and afraid, and also at those times they usually utter the Lord's name, not exactly in reverence, though neither in vain.

The way we use those handles bears a stark similarity to the way we sometimes lead our lives. In times of trouble, fear, unrest, unhappiness and uncertainty, we often call upon our Lord, call out his name, grasp for His help, wherever we can find a handle: church, prayer, clerical guidance, Bible reading. Once our situation subsides and is over, do we sometimes not slip away somewhat, falling back into our old pattern, releasing the grip we've had on our relationship with God?

Perhaps the purpose of a car's overhead handles is strictly for those times when we are in need of something sturdy to hang onto. However, once we reach up for the helping hand of God, the intention should be to not let go.

Prayer: Forgive us, Father, for those times when we've reached out and accepted your helping hand, only to let go when our time of greatest need seems to have subsided. Help us learn that by holding on as you walk with us each day, it is much easier to tighten or strengthen our grasp in times of trouble, unrest and despair. In your name we pray. Amen.

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