But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. Exodus 4:1-2 NLT
Moses was like us. His first reaction when God was offering him – no, calling him – to an incredible opportunity for his life to be significant, his first reaction was, “Oh, I don’t have what it takes. No way I could ever …”
We feel like we need more ability, more resources, more experience than we have to be and do what is needed. Moses couldn’t fathom that he could step into the place God had for him. God would need to perform a major miracle on him to even be heard. He was neither a speaker nor a leader. Moses felt inadequate, insecure, and unsure of how people would believe him.
God simply asked Moses, “What DO you have? What is in your hand?” He used the question to show Moses that he did not need to look for outside or extraordinary resources – God would use the ordinary skills and resources Moses already possessed.
Moses looked at his familiar and well-used shepherd’s staff. He obeyed God’s instruction to throw the staff on the ground. His ordinary staff turned into a snake! Moses was shocked but evidently not scared because he reached down and picked it back up. When he did, it turned into a staff again. This was his introduction to reality – what he had was just what he needed to lead a significant and faithful life. His staff became God’s tool to part the Red Sea and lead His people out of slavery.
Embracing who I am and what I have is a crucial step in leading a significant life. Significance starts when the ordinary is given to God to use. Moses’ staff was the badge of a humble shepherd, representing his quiet, ordinary life and resources. A shepherd and his staff were God’s choice for major impact. You do not need to acquire a new, flawless identity to be used by God. Your significance doesn't depend on what you wish you had – it begins with the ordinary, messy, or limited resources you already possess. You have what it takes.
- What do YOU have in your hand? What ordinary thing that seems “not much” to you is something God might want to use to do good in the lives of others? What ordinary gift can you give someone else today?