Have you ever thought that God could never use you in His service?

That you’re unqualified because you don’t have any special skills or talents?

Moses thought the same way.

God called him to lead the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, but Moses thought he wasn’t qualified to do so. He came up with excuse after excuse as to why he shouldn’t be chosen. He clearly felt that he didn’t have what it took.

But God can use us even when we feel ill-equipped. He takes us as we are and can use whatever we have at hand, no matter how meagre it seems.

In Moses’ case, God used a simple wooden stick.

After Moses tried to beg off the task God had for him once again, God asked him an unusual question:

“What is that in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2)

What Moses had in his hand was a shepherd’s “crook.” This staff or rod was a hooked tool that shepherds used to bring wayward sheep back into line. There was nothing special about it. It was probably no different from the staffs that thousands of other shepherds carried with them.

But through God’s power, it became an instrument for miracles.

God gave Moses foretaste of what He could make the staff do—He turned it into snake and back into a staff again.

Later, God used Moses’ staff as a conduit for many of the awesome miracles listed in Exodus: it parted the Red Sea, brought about the 10 plagues of Egypt, and brought water out of a rock.

God uses what we already have to accomplish mighty things. You don’t have to worry that you don’t have what it takes to be in God’s service: He will take what you’ve got and use it in wondrous ways.

Take Matthew in the New Testament. He was a tax collector, someone hated by others in society (I guess not much has changed in 2,000 years!).

When he began to follow Jesus, God didn’t make Matthew learn a new skill. He used what Matthew was already good at, what was “in his hand.”

As a tax collector, Matthew had to have good administrative skills. He had an eye for detail and was good at record-keeping. God used those very same skills, but put them to their highest use when He had Matthew write the book of the Bible which bears his name. Instead of recording the accounts of tax-payers in his town, Matthew wrote the account of the life of Jesus Christ, the greatest story ever told.

God will use what you have in your hand right now: the talents and personality traits you currently have. The destiny God has for you will grow out of what He’s already given you. Skills and traits God gave you long ago will be put to new purpose: they will bring God glory and give you more fulfillment than you’ve ever known.

Do you like caring for children? Maybe there’s a place for you in a children’s ministry at your church, or maybe you’ll start a YouTube channel bringing the gospel to kids.

Maybe you have some administrative skills, like Matthew did. God needs people like you to do His kingdom work.

Or perhaps you like to write—maybe there’s a Christian blog in your future (there was in mine!).

Whatever you’re currently good at, God can use for His purposes. Whether you like to cook, you’re good at music, you’re a natural encourager, or you’re a prayer warrior, God has a role for you.

If you think you’re not equipped to be in God’s service, think again. Ask yourself this:

“What is that in your hand?”

I think you’ll find that you already have what it takes to do something wonderful for God!

© 2020 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.