A Little Object - A Little Goes a Long Way

“Then the LORD asked him, ‘What is that in your hand’”? (Exodus 4:2, NLT)

A friend of mine bakes cookies for an anti-trafficking ministry. After being packaged in bags containing a handwritten note of encouragement and an emergency phone number the recipient can call for help, the cookies are distributed to women who are at risk of—or already are—being trafficked. As the volunteers offer the sweet treat, they also offer to pray for the women they meet.

While talking about this project, my friend commented that she is amazed at how making cookies—and making a mess in her kitchen—has become her ministry. By simply giving of her time and using the everyday utensils and appliances in front of her, she makes an impact in her community. I wonder how many women have been blessed and how many lives have been transformed by the spatula in my friend’s hand.

God loves to use ordinary objects for his extraordinary purposes. We see this revealed in the Bible over and over again. One of my favorite examples is found in the story of Moses. When God told him to free the Israelites from the Egyptian Pharaoh, Moses made excuses because he felt inadequate. God assured Moses he would be with him, and then he asked Moses what was in his hand.

This seems like a strange question to ask, but Moses’ response was even more strange because Moses was holding a shepherd’s staff. He wasn’t holding a weapon or piece of armor like you’d think he would need when approaching Pharoah to demand the release of the Israelites. Rather, it was just a wooden rod with a curved hook at the top. Basically, it was a stick. Shepherds used these staffs for walking, guiding sheep, and killing snakes, among other things—not for going into battle. As simple as it was, this shepherd’s staff was used to perform miraculous signs and lead thousands to freedom (Exodus 4).

Other heroes of faith used ordinary objects to accomplish God-given missions too. Joshua used a trumpet to flatten the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6). Gideon used a fleece to confirm God’s will (Judges 6). Samson used a jawbone to defeat 1,000 Philistines (Judges 15). David used a small stone to kill Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Elijah used oil to demonstrate God’s power to provide (2 Kings 4). Little did these men know the power their simple items would wield. Of course, these things in and of themselves don’t have power. It is God who empowered the resources they used, but each man was obedient to use them.

While it is easy to assume God can use only special objects, let’s not discount his use of the everyday items we have. What ordinary things has God placed in your hands—possibly a pen, paint brush, stethoscope, broom, hammer, ball, computer, or microphone? Whatever they may be, they can be instruments for him. The key is that they are dedicated for his use. Let the objects be reminders of his power and presence, realizing it really isn’t about what is in our hands, but the fact that God holds us in his.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving me tools and resources. I don’t want to take any object for granted. Help me to recognize what you have given me and show me how each item can be used for good. I dedicate everything I have for your service in order to further your Kingdom. Amen.

Take inventory of what God has placed in your hands. Pray you steward well what he has given you.