CHAPTER 6

What Is Already in Your Hands?

“And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.” Exodus 4:2 (KJV)

When we start thinking about purpose, we tend to look toward what we do not have: more money, education, time, experience, connections, confidence, support, or a clearer plan.

God asked Moses a simpler question: What is that in thine hand?

We Often Look Past What Is Ordinary

A skill, knowledge gained through work, a relationship, a room, vehicle, computer, phone, land, a few free hours, an ability to cook, fix, write, teach, listen, organize, build, sing, create, care for children, work with animals, or manage money can become almost invisible because it is ordinary to us.

Your Hands May Already Be Full

Children. Work. Marriage. Caregiving. School. Church responsibilities. Financial obligations. Healing. A season of rebuilding.

Purpose led living does not require continually adding something. Sometimes faithfulness means carrying what is already there well.

Stewardship Comes Before Expansion

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much...” Luke 16:10 (KJV). More is not automatically better. If we cannot care for what is small because we are dreaming about what is large, we may miss the purpose already happening.

Small Does Not Mean Insignificant

The value of the assignment is not determined by the size of the audience.

Use What You Have Without Pretending It Is More Than It Is

Compassion does not make you a counselor. A home does not automatically make it an appropriate residential program. Experience with illness does not make you a medical professional. Leadership ability does not mean you understand nonprofit law. Purpose uses what is in our hands. Wisdom understands its limits.

God Can Multiply What Is Surrendered

A boy had five barley loaves and two small fishes. John 6:9 (KJV). He did not need to multiply the food. He needed to make what he had available. Jesus did the multiplying.

We are responsible for surrender. God is responsible for what He chooses to do with it.

Multiplication Does Not Always Mean Bigger Numbers

One conversation may change how someone parents. One person encouraged may encourage another. One child may learn safe love and carry it into a future home. We may never see everything that grows from obedience.

Your Time and Attention Are Resources

Every yes spends something. Attention communicates value. Sometimes what God has placed in our hands is the person sitting directly in front of us.

Money Is a Tool, Not the Calling

Some assignments require money. But lack of money does not mean there is nothing to do. Today's assignment may be research, planning, learning, saving, building relationships, serving, writing the plan, testing the idea, prayer, or preparation. Money can fund an assignment. It does not create the calling.

Relationships Are in Your Hands Too

People are not resources to use. But God rarely designed us to do everything alone.

Do Not Use People to Build Your Purpose

People are not building materials. Invite. Communicate honestly. Allow people to say no. Trust God with who belongs in the assignment.

Your Home Can Be a Resource Without Becoming Public Property

“Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” 1 Peter 4:9 (KJV). Hospitality does not mean unlimited access. Stewardship includes protecting the resource.

Your Body Is in Your Hands

“...your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you...” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (KJV). Sleep, food, movement, medical care, rest, limits, and energy matter. Stewardship includes the person doing the serving.

Your Limitations Are Information

Limitations can help reveal: not now, not alone, not this way, smaller, slower, with help, with training, with boundaries.

You May Need to Put Something Down

“A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;” Ecclesiastes 3:6 (KJV). Receiving a new assignment may require making room.

Do Not Drop What God Never Released

Excitement about something new does not make old responsibilities meaningless. Ask what needs to stay, change, be delegated, or has actually ended.

Sometimes Someone Else Is Holding Part of the Assignment

“For the body is not one member, but many.” 1 Corinthians 12:14 (KJV). Maybe what is missing from your hands was never supposed to be in your hands.

Hold It With Open Hands

God, You placed this in my hands. Show me how to carry it. Use it. Protect it. Develop it. Share it. Save it. Give it. Wait with it. Put it down. Pick something else up. Whatever obedience requires.

Lord, what do You want me to do with this?