“And the Lord said unto him (Moses), what is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.” Exodus 4:2
Moses threw his staff on the ground, and God turned it into a serpent. The Lord used this rod, already in the hand of Moses to change water to blood, bring locusts, flies, knats and cause boils to break out on the Egyptians.
Moses had used that staff while he was a herder in the wilderness. God didn’t tell him to get a brand new one. The Lord used that old rod which Moses was accustomed to carrying around and herding animals every day.
In the old movie “The Gods Must Be crazy,” a pilot as he flew over the deep calahara desert of central Africa dropped his glass coke bottle from the plane. A man in the bush community found it. He didn’t know what it was but carried it back to the village where everyone wondered why the “gods” would give them such a thing. Everyone wanted to use it. Women pounded cassava root and rolled out dough with it. Men used it to make hole impressions. Children blew over the opening of the bottle to make music.
In Africa the concept of using what is already in one’s hand is common. Sharing it with others is part of life. For example, an empty tin can is used as a drinking cup, a dipper for getting water, a standard of measurement in the market and a soccer ball, where children kick it across the goal line.
God has given each one of us gifts and objects to serve him, minister to others and improve our lives.
What do you have in your own hands?
A home where guests are welcome.
The talent of cooking and baking to share food with others.
A car and a few hours to take someone someplace.
An extra hour with free minutes on your phone to call and encourage those who are homebound.
A pen to write inspirational words.
A computer with an understanding of its technology.
What’s in your hand for expanding God’s Kingdom on earth?
Use it to serve Him and others.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Join me again next Saturday.
Celeste
