“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon youand learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28,29 NIV)

Our fingers can be very useful parts of our body. Winston Churchill, and many others since, displayedtwo fingers shaped like a “V” to indicate Victory. It is common to show our fingers across our chest orforehead as a salute. Sometimes a finger pointing skyward indicates a commitment to God.
Unfortunately, as in giving someone the ‘finger’, it is also sometimes used in a derogatory way.

But I think one of the most interesting ways of communicating is when you curl your index finger in a way that says “Come to me”. 

Approximately half a century ago, I reluctantly agreed to coach our Church’s hockey team. They played in a men’s league with half a dozen other teams from our Church in Toronto, Canada. They were enthusiastic, but without a coach, they had gone for a year and half without winning a single game. I
don’t claim any great hockey skills, but with diligent weekly practices, we won the league championshiptwo years later!

They were enthusiastic players and there was always a tendency to get involved in altercations.However, I tried to strictly enforce the fact that you never score a goal when sitting in the penalty box! 

One of our big tough players was very enthusiastic and always seemed to be getting in the middle ofeverything. I recall one game when a scrum looked like it was going to develop into a fighting session. As usual, one of my players, Teddy, quickly skated to the corner of the rink to be in the middle of the fight. 

However, he glanced across the rink to me on the bench. I just beckoned “Come to me” and Teddyskated away from the fight to stand beside me. I was the coach and Teddy remembered the strict rule Itried to enforce!

As you read this I am sure you can think of many situations when you have either called or been the‘called’ as indicated by the beckoning finger. It is a common use of our hand. Interestingly, I was not able to force Teddy to obey my command or request. He had to choose to obey and in doing so, many on the rink were surprised. Indeed in most situations where we are called, we
must voluntarily obey (although, as children, sometimes there were physical consequences if we didn’t).

When we are called, as in the words of Jesus (above) God could make us obey and follow. In His wisdom, however, He has chosen to give us the free will to make the choice. The choice to accept the coach’s directions led to victory for Teddy and his fellow hockey players.

How much more important that we choose to follow God’s call in the ‘game of life’!

Prayer: Dear God, Thanks for showing us the way to follow You by sending Jesus to be our example.Help us to always make the right choice. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen

Vincent Walters
Toronto, Ontario, Canada