Do you believe that God can take ordinary things and use them for extraordinary purposes? Do you know why God has given us gifts and talents? Do you understand the Great Commission where we as believers are summoned to “go and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all things that I [Jesus] have commanded you…?'” (Matthew 28:19a, 20a). We have been given these gifts and talents to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are all unique in our own ways, therefore, God has given us gifts and talents that fit who He has called us to be and we are to use them to the best of our ability.

The million dollar question is, “What is in your hand?”

I love how God showed Moses the significance of his staff—the very staff he’d had since he’d been in the wilderness. The wilderness was training ground for Moses. There he was able to identify the gift that was in his hand.

You mean to tell me this ordinary piece of wood had power that Moses didn’t know of? YES! That very staff was the one that Moses used to shepherd the sheep became the very object that God used in shepherding the Israelites and delivering them out of Egypt. That very staff  was the same one that by the power of God was transformed into a snake, was used to bring forth the plagues against the Egyptians, was used to part the Red Sea, made water flow from the rock (although an act of disobedience), and was used in the battle over the Amalekites where the Israelites won the victory. These were all signs of the Lord’s power operating in Moses’ life!

In Exodus 4:3 we see that Moses fled from the very thing that God gave him to use. “And He [God] said,

“Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.”

We can’t be afraid to use what’s in our hand. My advice to you is don’t run from it! Don’t be afraid of it. Don’t think it’s not enough or worthless! Use what has been entrusted to you! It’s a source to bring others out!!! It’s meant to be a blessing to others!

What God has placed in your hand will:

1. Prove that God is GOD. When God gives us an assignment to do, we normally raise questions, right? Moses did the same thing. “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” But God answered, “I will be with you…” But what if I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is His name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Tell them I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 2: 11-14 NLT, emphasis added).
2. Reveal HIS power. Again, Moses needed reassurance from God to move forward. He asked, “What if they don’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?” (Exodus 4:1, NLT) “So the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.” (Exodus‬ ‭4:2-3‬) Moses needed to see that God was serious about His will being done.
3. Bring forth deliverance. Don’t think your gift is for you. It’s for you to utilize to be a blessing to someone else. God demonstrated His power to the nation of Israel when Moses stretched forth the staff and the Red Sea parted. God was delivering them out of Egypt so that they could possess that land flowing with milk and honey. Whatever God has placed in your hand should direct people to Him.

“But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” -Exodus‬ ‭14:16‬

REMINDER:

DO NOT COMPARE YOUR GIFTS WITH OTHERS! Oftentimes we compare gifts and that usually leads to coveting. In doing so, we basically tell God that He didn’t know what He was doing when He graced us with the gift(s) we have. So we go around mumbling and complaining, wishing we had this gift and the next, while at the same time forsaking our very own. Don’t become distracted by other people’s gifts that you fail to realize your own. Listen! God gave you that gift because He knows and understands you and your life better than you. He designed the blueprint, so why is it so hard to just trust God?

What are the ordinary things God has given you? Is it a pen, your voice, a musical instrument, etc.? What do you have in your hand that God can use for extraordinary purposes? Once you yield to God and His will, you’ll be amazed at how He can take something so ordinary and use it for something totally extraordinary! Will you utilize what’s in your hand?

REMEMBER, YOU are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that you should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV, emphasis added).