What’s In Your Hand?
Discover God’s Greater Purpose For Your Life
Do you ever find yourself exhausted trying to keep up in life? Get the degree. Land the dream job. Buy the house. Earn the promotion. Build the retirement fund. We're bombarded with everyday messages that say our lives will be meaningful once we accomplish more, acquire more, achieve more.
But here's the thing - so many of us reach these milestones only to find ourselves wondering, "Is this all there is?" Maybe you're there right now. You've checked all the boxes society told you would lead to a meaningful life, but something still feels missing. Why? Because God designed us for something greater than personal achievement and material success. He created us for significance—a purpose that reaches far beyond ourselves.
Let's look at what that really means for our lives, and we can explore it through one of the most remarkable stories in the Bible—the life of Moses. His journey beautifully illustrates how God can take ordinary people like you and me and use us for extraordinary purposes.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”
—Ephesians 2:10
Three Ways We Try to Live
Before we dive into Moses's story, let's examine three different levels where we often find ourselves living. Do any of these sound familiar?
Survival Mode
You know those seasons where just getting through the day feels like a win? Maybe you're there right now—focused on keeping the lights on, managing a difficult relationship, or dealing with health challenges. When we're in survival mode, tomorrow feels like a luxury we can't afford to think about because today demands all our attention.
Success Mode
This is where many of us aspire to be (and where some of us are). We're setting goals, achieving milestones, and making progress. But here's the tricky part about success mode: we're constantly comparing ourselves to others, and there's always another mountain to climb. Ever notice how reaching one goal immediately makes you think about the next one?
Significance Mode
This is where things get interesting. Significance mode isn't about what we can achieve—it's about the impact we can have. It's when we stop asking "What can I gain?" and start asking "What can I give?" Sound refreshing? Let's see how Moses experienced all three.
More About Moses and God’s Purpose For His Life
You might think Moses was always this confident, powerful leader, but his story is surprisingly relatable. Born into survival mode as a Hebrew slave, he got an unexpected promotion to prince of Egypt (talk about success mode!). But God had bigger plans—plans that would impact generations.
In Exodus 3:1-15, we find Moses in what probably felt like a major career downgrade. He'd fled his privileged life and was now back in survival mode, working as a shepherd in the desert. Can you imagine the conversations he had with himself during those long days watching sheep? But it was precisely in this humble setting that God showed up in a burning bush with a greater purpose.
God said, "I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, and I have come down to rescue them" (Exodus 3:7-8).
Moses's response? Totally relatable: "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). Sound familiar? It's that same self-doubt we feel when faced with what seems like an impossible calling.
Where Do I Start Finding God’s Purpose in My Life?
Start Where You Are
Want to know one of the most encouraging parts of Moses's story? When he protested his inadequacy, God didn't send him to leadership training or tell him to come back when he felt more confident. Instead, God asked him something so simple yet profound: "What is that in your hand?" (Exodus 4:2)
It was just a shepherd's staff—the most ordinary tool imaginable. Yet God would use this everyday stick to part the Red Sea and bring water from rock. Think about that for a minute. The very thing Moses used in his "lesser" job became the tool God used for miracles.
What does this mean for us?
That Season You Think You're Wasting? It Matters Those years Moses spent shepherding weren't a divine timeout—they were preparation. What if the season you're in right now is actually preparing you for what's next?
You Already Have Something Valuable What's in your hand right now? Maybe it's a skill you take for granted, an experience you wish you hadn't had, or relationships you've built along the way. In God's hands, ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Stop Waiting for "Someday" How often do we say, "I'll serve God when things settle down" or "when I have more time/money/confidence"? What if God is waiting for us to use what we already have?
How To Trust God's Power
Here's the most freeing truth in Moses's whole story: it wasn't about his abilities—it was about God's power. Remember that staff turning into a snake? That wasn't Moses doing magic tricks. It was God's power working through Moses's willingness to use what he had.
This changes everything about how we view our purpose:
The Pressure's Off Success doesn't depend on your incredible abilities. God told Moses, "I will certainly be with you" (Exodus 3:12). That promise? It's for us too.
Your Weaknesses? They're Part of the Plan Moses had a speech impediment, yet God chose him to be His spokesperson. Mind-blowing, right? Your limitations don't disqualify you—they might be exactly what God wants to use.
Faithful > Famous Moses never saw the Promised Land, but he faithfully played his part in God's bigger story. Your role might seem small, but it's significant in God's plan.
How Can I Start Finding My Life Purpose?
So how do we actually do this? Here are some real steps we can take:
Remember Who Made You You're not an accident. As Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "You are God's masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works." That's worth reading again.
Take Stock What's in your hand? Make a list of your skills, experiences, relationships, and resources. Nothing—absolutely nothing—is wasted in God's economy.
Look Around Where do you see needs that align with what you have to offer? Sometimes our calling is hiding in plain sight.
Take a Small Step Start serving with what you have where you are. Don't wait for the perfect opportunity—take the next right step.
Trust the Journey Remember, God often works gradually. Moses had forty years of desert prep time before his burning bush moment.
My Next Step in Finding God’s Purpose For My Life
Here's what changed everything for Moses: he finally realized it wasn't about him—it was about what God wanted to do through him. The same is true for us. When we stop focusing on our inadequacies and start trusting God's adequacy, we're free to step into the significant life He planned.
That ordinary thing in your hand right now? It might look like just a stick to you, but in God's hands, it could be exactly what's needed to make an extraordinary impact in someone else's life.
Ready to move beyond success to significance? It starts with a simple step: looking at what's already in your hand and offering it to God. Remember, He doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. And He's calling you—yes, you—to start right where you are, with exactly what you have, trusting His power to work through you.
What's in your hand today?
Looking to explore your God-given purpose? Connect with a local faith community to learn more about using your gifts to serve others and live a life of significance.
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