All Bible readers will remember the story of Moses, when he was arguing with God about his ability to lead Israel out of Egypt: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” “What if [Israel does] not receive me or listen to me?” “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have speaking to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10).
“What is that in your hand?” God asked Moses, to which he replied, “A staff.” But given over to God, that staff became power in Moses’s hand, God’s power. This is the staff that Moses used to divide the Red Sea when Israel was escaping from Pharaoh and the Egyptian army.
“What is that in your hand, David?” “A slingshot and a stone” (1 Samuel 17). But in the hand of God, enough to kill a giant and bring the defeat of the whole Philistine army.
“What is that in your hand, little boy?” “Five loaves and two fish.” But in the hands of Jesus, enough to feed 5,000 men plus the others gathered (John 6:9).
“What’s in your hand, sir?” “Only one talent, not enough to be useful, so I’ll just bury it for safe-keeping, until the Master calls for it.” “You wicked, lazy servant! … Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness…” (Matthew 25). Never underestimate what God will do with the little we have, and most importantly, when surrendered to Him!
What’s in your hand? A phone call? A note? A visit? A financial gift at a given time?
I can still tell you about words of encouragement given to me at an appropriate time that gave me the energy to go forward, or when a financial gift was given to me that was a specific answer to prayer in a time of need.
You are gifted. You have what others need. What’s in your hand? Use it to the glory of Jesus!
(inspired from a lesson by Rabbi Ken Alpren, Kol Dodi)