What is that in your hand?

Have you ever thought about your talents and wondered if you really had any? Do you admire gifted singers, writers or speakers and think that meaningful service to God has passed you by?  Perhaps you feel ordinary, or ill-equipped, with nothing of importance that could be used for ministry. Moses felt that way.

Moses was a shy shepherd, who thought he could be of no use in helping God fulfill His plan for freeing the Israelites. He argued with God, pointing out all of the excuses he could come up with, then God finally asked, “What is that in your hand?” You can almost hear the frustration and the heavy sigh that accompanied that question. Moses answers, “A rod.”

I imagine the reply was made hesitantly, with little excitement in the answer. Moses was probably just as frustrated as he puzzled over the question. “Just a rod,” he probably thought. “A tool of the trade...an ordinary piece of wood.” But it was not just a rod! God used what Moses took for granted, to bring plagues against the Egyptians, part the Red Sea, summon water from a rock and win a battle against the enemy. Just a rod?! God can use whatever is in our hand to minister in a profound way, if we are obedient and let Him show us what to do. God demonstrated to Moses, the incredible potential in that seemingly insignificant piece of wood. Something simple and common, turned into a powerful and authoritative tool. Something comfortable in his hands, made miraculous by God!

So what is that in your hand? Just a knitting needle, a rolling pin, an ordinary paint brush or barber chair? Do you write or draw or do woodworking or crafts? Are you good with people; love to visit; or have a lot of money? Every one of us has something!!

God has shown us that the ordinary can become the remarkable when we allow Him to use it for His purpose. 

God has passed on His creativity to us and wants us to use it!! Give God every hindrance, distraction and burden. Allow yourself to make mistakes and fumble a bit until you find out how you can use that unique “thing” you do. Write, stitch, paint, bake and sing! Photograph, compose, build, visit and organize! All of us have something we can be doing and God wants our willingness and availability, not our excuses. See your talent for what it is. It’s not “just” anything...it’s amazing and God wants to use it.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10, NIV).

Written by: Kitty Nancekievill