Moses, out in the desert is telling God that he is so worthless that he will never be able to do anything for God. Then God asks the question, and it’s a good one for each of us.
“WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND?”
What Moses had in his had was a rod, a staff, a walking stick. What did he have? A stick. It was simply a stick.
Thinking of a stick, I’m reminded of the time on an Andy Griffith program (my favorite) when the new mayor of the town was complaining that Sheriff Andy didn’t carry a gun. Andy replied that back in England, the police don’t carry guns, but they carry a stick. He asked if the mayor wanted him to get a couple of sticks for him and Barney to carry. No, he didn’t like that idea.
Well, back to Moses. All he had was a stick. And, that was all that God needed. We often think that God can only use the spectacular. God is looking for our availability. He can take the routine and make it something spectacular.
What did Moses do with the stick? He proved the reality of God to Pharaoh, the king. He recorded it in
Exodus 7:10-12 NIV
10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.
10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.
Moses and Aaron teamed up. This resulted from Moses’ argument with God when he was saying he was useless. In Pharaoh’s presence the stick was thrown on the ground and it became a snake. Pharaoh’s men did the same. And I love the ending, showing God’s superiority, God’s snake swallowed up the rest.
I’m not Moses and neither are you. What can we grasp from this story. Each of us has to ask ourselves the same question: what’s in your hand? Then, take what you have and let God use it. God can use a stick. In one Bible story, he used a donkey. In another place, Jesus used a little boy’s lunch. It’s not our ability or resources, it’s our availability.
We have all been gifted with some ability. Develop it. Use it for God’s glory. Be generous with what you have. You’ll be amazed at what you accomplish in life.
Let me end with something just for the fun of it.
Charley, a new retiree greeter at Walmart, just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, sometimes 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean shaven, sharp minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their "Older Person Friendly" policies.
One day the boss was in a real quandary about how to deal with it. Finally, he called him into the office for a talk. "Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang on job, but your being late so often is quite bothersome."
"Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it."
"Well good, you are a team player. That's what I like to ear. It's odd though, your coming in late. I know you're retired from the Armed Forces. What did they say if you came in late there?"
"They said, 'Good morning, General. Tea or coffee this morning, sir?'"
