The team I’m part of started a Bible study today. We are spending the next number of weeks going through the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch), and this study is facilitated on zoom by a group in the Ukraine. I am so excited for the things I’ll learn, but something stood out to me today that had nothing to do with the book of Genesis.

The thing that struck me as I was thinking about the 2 hours we spent discussing timeless truths, was the servant attitude of the couple teaching and facilitating the study. I’m sure this isn’t new, and I’ve likely known many people over the years who serve God and others through teaching. I hope people have sensed my heart to serve during the times I’ve had the opportunity to teach.

I’ve also known teachers who seemed to have a very different view of their role than it being a place of service. That isn’t really the point I’ve been pondering today though. What I was thinking as I walked today was, “what is the gift God has given me and how am I using it to serve others?”

Teaching is obviously a gift given to these folks, but they are using it as a way to bless others. Each of us also has talents and gifts God has given us, and they are meant to be used in service to Him and others. We’re blessed to bless others.

As I was thinking about this, the story of Moses in Exodus 4 came to mind. As Moses is questioning God’s call on him to go and free the Israelites, God asks him, “What is that in your hand?” The object in question was a shepherd’s staff God would use to show His power through Moses to the Israelites and Egyptians.

This may be taken out of context a bit, but as I considered the gifts God has given me and how to best use them to serve, it was almost as though God was asking me the same question. “What’s in your hand?”

So, allow me to ask you that question as well. What’s in your hand? What has been given to you to use in serving others and showing God’s glory to those around you? How are you using it to serve God and others?