When God called Moses, Moses wasn’t too sure he wanted to step out of his comfort zone. He didn’t think he had what it takes to make a difference for God. The Bible says: ‘Moses answered: “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you?’” Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake’ (vv.1-3 NIV). God could show His power through something as ordinary as Moses’ staff. But for Moses, that was the thing that was keeping him upright, he could lean on it and it helped him progress forward. Moses’ staff represented his identity and security. It was the way he made his living as a shepherd, and the way he protected himself and his flock. So when God told him to throw it down, he was asking Moses to let go of who he was and what he had. When we have to throw down the things we’re leaning on and the things we’ve built our identity on, it can be a scary experience for those of us who like to be in control. But while we’re holding on to these things and using them to try to control the situation, God can’t use it. We may feel like we’re in control, but really the things we hold on to are actually controlling us. If we don’t throw it down, our staff will forever remain only a staff. But if we have the courage to surrender it to God, it can become the thing God uses to show people His miraculous power.

What Now?

What’s in your hand today? You can hang on to it and see what you can do, or hand it over and see what God can do. Today let God use what you’ve got.