Moses protested again, “Look, they won’t believe me! They won’t do what I tell them. They’ll just say ‘The Lord never appeared to you.'” Then the Lord asked him, “What do you have there in your hand?” Exodus 4:1—2
Before the movie The Prince of Egypt was released, I was invited to preview the film for DreamWorks Studios. It was a thrill to be a part of this project, but on top of the excitement of the moment, God spoke to me during that animated film on the life of Moses. It happened during Moses’ encounter with the burning bush, when he was arguing with the Lord about why he couldn’t lead God’s people out of Egypt. Moses felt utterly unqualified to lead anyone out of anywhere. After a couple of rounds of debate, God won by asking Moses a simple question: “What is in your hand?” Moses was holding a shepherd’s staff, something he had been using for forty years as he herded sheep in the desert.
When God calls us into leadership, he usually starts with familiar tools, giving us a ministry that looks a lot like what we’ve been doing all along. The leadership role he calls us to may not even seem spiritual or significant at first glance.
This encounter between God and Moses is full of spiritual truths for leaders. Consider the following:
Faithfullness counts. God calls us to keep on doing what we’ve already been doing. Leaders are not necessarily more gifted than others, but they are less inclined to give up.
God seeks a willing attitude in us. Scripture reveals Moses’ great reluctance to assume the role of deliverer of Israel, but in spite of his fears he obeyed the call of God upon his life.
God’s power comes upon an obedient heart. In Moses’ eyes his staff appeared to be just an ordinsrv staff, but in the hand of God it became something powerful and even life changing. From these verses on, Moses’ staff was central as God guided Israel out of bondage. Each time an account mentions the staff, God is saying, in effect, “The common becomes significant when my power comes upon it.
God uses preparation. What we’ve been doing is preparation for what we will be doing. As the film showed, Moses—born an Israelite, raised an Egyptian, reunited with his captive people—was uniquely qualified, through his life and preparanon, to lead his people out of bondage. In the economy of God, there is no wasted time.
—Steve Sjogren
Reflection
What is “in my hand” that God might anoint for service?
Prayer
Lord, help me recognize that great opportunity isn’t always something distant and “out there”—it may be right in front of me. Then, gracious Father, equip me with the courage and obedient spirit to act on those opportunities.
“Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice.”
—William Jennings Bryan, American lawyer and politician
Leadership DevotionsCopyright Tyndale House Publishers.Used by permission.
