What’s In Your Hand?

The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand—”that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Exodus 4:1–5 ESV

God: What’s in your hand?

Moses: A staff.

God: Lay it down, I’ll make it come alive.

Moses: *Drops the staff*

It transforms into a snake—a living thing—that God asks Moses to pick back up.

Through this staff, God worked miracles in Egypt and led his people into freedom.

This staff represented deep things about Moses. He was a shepherd.

This was his:

1. identity
2. income
3. influence

For me, I’m a writer, and I hold a pen.

This is who I am, how I make money, and how I wield influence.

I’m just learning that it’s not about me—and if I try to make it about me, it quickly runs out of ink.

But when I lay it down for God, there’s a river of ink, a fountain of never ending inspiration, wisdom beyond my abilities, and purpose I could never engineer for myself.

So, what’s in your hand?

Are you willing to lay it down so God can make it come to life, and work wonders in the world?

When we do, let’s not run from the calling, like Moses did at first. God’s plans for you are much greater than your plans for yourself—the same goes for me.

Let’s pick up the purpose he has for us.

What’s in your hand?

PS: If this impacted you, I encourage you to watch the TED talk Rick Warren gave where he shares more about this concept.