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Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.
Moses’ staff was among the few possessions he had. It was probably his shepherd’s staff and represents what he knew and what he already had. God took that and made it a tool Moses would use many times on the new journey that lay ahead.
All of us already have gifts, talents, resources and experience given us by God which we can use to glorify Him and serve others. He’s asking us to be faithful with what we’ve got – to bring it to the table.
1 Peter 4:10 tells us that “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
Whatever our skill set or gift mix, wherever we are and wherever we go, there’s a place for us in world missions – we can participate in the mission of God.
So, what’s in our hand that God can use? How about doing an inventory of all the things God has provided?
For example, your…
God can even use your dining room table (hospitality is a great way to participate in missions)!
For years, I thought the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) involved David making a totally unrealistic, impossible attempt at taking out Goliath with a few stones and that it was a total miracle.
In fact, David knew how to wield a slingshot. Wielded by an expert, stones could be sent flying with great speed and accuracy. David was using what he had, what he knew.
Unlike all the trained soldiers who stood in fear on the sidelines, he cared so much about God’s glory that he stepped forward, combining his trust in God with his skills and took a risk.
Maybe we’ve been sitting on something God wants us to use but we don’t think it fits with the norm or it doesn’t seem useful.
David’s approach was unconventional; the other soldiers had swords, spears and armour. Maybe we’ve been sitting on something God wants us to use but we don’t think it fits with the norm or it doesn’t seem useful.
Sometimes we let false humility keep us from using our gifts, talents and resources. Or we’re waiting until we’ve got more – more resources, more qualifications, more influence. Or we let a perceived limitation, including a disability, stop us.
Moses hoped his limitations would get him out of what God was calling him to do. He told God he didn’t speak well (as if God didn’t already know!) and even said, “Please send someone else to do it” (Exodus 4:10, 13).
George Stott wanted to make Jesus known in China. Because he only had one leg he was turned down by several mission organisations.
Hudson Taylor, founder of what is now OMF International, accepted him. When Taylor asked him why he would think of going to China with one leg, Stott replied, “I do not see those with two legs going, so I must.”
He wanted to use what he had, do what he could, instead of coming up with excuses why someone else should do it.
One of our national offices wrote to me earlier this year about a teacher and his family interested in joining our team.
He has rheumatoid arthritis. I love his willingness and courage for the sake of the gospel. Many healthy, gifted people are doing very little with what they’ve got. We’ve found there are workable solutions to managing his condition here and we’ll see how things develop.
Examples like these challenge me to use what I’ve got, not lament what I haven’t got.
About our vocations, Charles Spurgeon wrote that “Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the gospel to noblest ends.”
Maybe God is nudging you towards a new way of using your vocation or seeing how it connects with His mission where you are maybe in another part of the world.
So, calling all the artists, carpenters, teachers, engineers, accountants, techies, nurses or administrators. Calling singles, couples and families. Calling everybody who loves Jesus!
Bring your tools to the table, God will put them to use.
If you’ve resonated with this message, would you pray along with me: “Lord, I bring before You all the gifts, talents and possessions which You have so graciously given to me.
“I dedicate them for Your service that they will be a blessing to others and be tools in Your hand to help others come to know You, experience Your love and the transforming power of the gospel. Amen.”
