WHAT IS IN YOUR HAND? (Exodus 4:2)
~ Rev Dr Ginnei Thang
To go out into the world and spread the Gospel is not what we can practically do it right now as addressed in the last sermon. It is more important to know and understand the God-given gifts each one of us have to identify what is there in our hand. If we look at the conversation between God and Moses in the Bible, the stubborn attitude and numerous excuses of Moses denying God’s calling can be clearly seen. When God chooses someone it is not always the wise, able and gifted who are called, but the one who dare to take the first step into the unknown knowing that God will guide them in their calling. Like Moses we also have ample excuses when it comes to serving God and working in His ministry. Do we blame God for our circumstances and weakness in our life? Do we put our weaknesses and limitations as an obstacle from being use by God?
As can be seen in Psalm 139:14 which clearly tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The shortcomings and weaknesses that we think we have is too small a problem for God when he wants to use us. The more important question is “Can we be use by God”? Are we willing to be use by God? Do we cleanse and improve ourselves everyday to be a vessel which can be used by God? Or are we oblivious of the countless blessings we received from God and blaming our shortcomings for not being able to serve God in truth and in spirit?
1. PUT DOWN WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND (Exodus 4:3)
We need to accept whatever is given in our hand whether we think it is good or bad. God design and made us in a way that He can use us only if we are willing to serve Him. As a result it is required of us to put down what is in our hand once we know what we have in our hand. It has to be use by God- our talents, gifts, strengths and knowledge are useful when it is use by God. I remember when I pursue my calling just when I Graduated from Edmunds College, Shillong. Friends, relatives and people branded me a fool out of concern for my career when I decided to follow Jesus and started going to Bible College. Even in an encounter of Jesus with the righteous man, the Righteous man couldn’t give up his richness and sell everything to give it to the poor. Leaving what we have and where we are seems to be a common pattern in the lives of Abraham and my calling. It is normal for us to be made fool out of in this materialistic world when we give up everything for God.
Serving the Lord and pursuing Him is worth giving up everything for many Christians around the world who are fully committed and faithful.
How powerful it is when Moses lay down the stick in his hand and God use it to help the Israelites divide the Red Sea, draw water from the rocks and win the enemy! We should realize how powerful it will be when we put down the stick in our hand to be use by God. We should not leave it un-used. We are impressed by IAS officers and Doctorates who left their high-profile Job to serve God. I say this is required of anyone as well who want to serve the Lord.
2. WHAT ABOUT YOUR BROTHER (Exodus 4:14)
While God has given us various gifts and we are using it for God’s kingdom, it is imperative to remember that there are still many work to be done or areas where we cannot do it alone. In such cases we should enthusiastically and openly know who our brothers are. We should know who can help us and how we can help them. It is the Kingdom of God we are serving and not just our local church. There could be other church, other organizations and people who want to work with us. Are our doors open for them? Are we just confined to our four walls? We need to go beyond Tribalism and with open heart and mind be able to work together with our brothers near and far in Delhi. If we are blinded by exclusivity within our own church, groups or tribe, we could be handicapped. We cannot do everything alone we need the help of our brothers and sisters. We must profess openness and inclusivity.
3. CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL SERVE (Joshua 5:13-14)
We need to make a big decision before we go out into world and spread the Gospel. Do we really want to serve God? Do we find it worthy to serve God? Can we make a clear choice and say, “Me and my family will serve the Lord?” Can we make this decision whatever conditions and circumstances we are in? The purpose of our life is to serve God, receive His Blessings and have wonderful fellowship with Him in truth and in spirit. Although we might not reach to this stage of reaching at a final decision of serving God whole heartedly, we can be assure that once we decide to follow God and serve Him, He will use us with the Gifts and talents that He has given us and make us a vessel use by God for His Kingdom.
