What is that in your hand?

I recently listened to a wonderful message that examined the questions that we ask God. One such question was asked by Moses when He was instructed to free God’s people from bondage in Egypt. In Exodus 4:1 Moses asks, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice?” God replied, “What is that in your hand?”

I absolutely love that God answered a question with His own question. You see, much like us, Moses was asking the wrong question. I can so relate to Moses. I have found myself in far too many situations worried about what others are going to think. I have begun so many questions with “what if they.” I’ve come to realize that in the moments of asking “what if they,” what I’m really asking is “God, what if You don’t?” When I have allowed myself to ask those questions I have inevitably invited fear into my life. When fear enters, paralysis sets in. In fact, I have found myself walking away from opportunities because I did not trust God with the outcome of stepping into the unknown.

I firmly believe that what God was saying to Moses, which is as true for you and for me today, was this—don’t worry about what others believe, but rather believe in Me. Believe that I have already equipped you with everything you need to succeed in the work I have asked of you, and you’re already holding it right in your hand.

If you’re like me, then you can identify that far too often we use the opinions of others to hide our own insecurities. What we’re really saying to the Lord is, “I’m frightened.” “I’m not ready.” “I’m unqualified.” “I’m comfortable where I am.” “I don’t trust You.”

The reason that this message so resonated with me is because it was in this very season of my life that I have been guilty of saying all those things to the Lord. Then I heard Him say, “Michael, what are you doing with what you are already holding in your hand?” What I was holding in my hand was my own personal story of God’s provision. Stories of those around me who were walking through their own desert seasons and prevailing because God was walking with them every step of their own journeys. It was out of the pain in my struggles that Standing Stones was inspired. I can honestly say that it would likely have never occurred if I had allowed all the other “what if they” voices to drown out the opportunity to create a “living legacy” of stories to encourage others in their seasons of struggle.

So, my question to each of you is this, “What is that in your hand?” Even in the midst of the challenges you face, God has equipped each one of you with all you need to impact the world if you’re simply willing to trust him. Just this week I heard a recording of the late Dr. Charles Stanley, a precious Pastor and teacher, say that for every day of his life he was guided by following what he had been called to do and simply trusted the consequences to God. What freedom we can find when we trust the consequences to God!

So what question should we be asking the Lord? Not, “what if they” but rather “what if I?” “What’s possible if I fully commit to placing my trust in you Lord?”