What do You Have in Your Hand?

When you read the following text, keep in mind: What talents do the Mafo congregation have?

The Israelites went to Egypt in search of food and settled there, in a foreign land, for 460 years. It was hunger and poverty that had forced them to leave their beloved country. After a long period of suffering in a foreign country, God sent Moses to rescue and liberate the children of Israel from the oppression of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. He gave Moses the assignment and task to deliver these people who were facing socio-economic hardship and lived miserable lives at the mercy of the Egyptian king. Moses was called to rescue them out of this situation.

Similarly, “Use Your Talents” “has come as our “Moses” to alleviate the suffering of people around, using local resources. Some countries are suffering from socio-economic challenges. They do not have sound financial background to support their families and the church. People in these countries often have a problem-focused mentality, spending much of their time focusing on the problems, instead of a solution-based mentality, finding ways and means to eradicate such challenges in life. Hence, the program came to address community and socio-economic challenges and help communities to live a meaningful life through “Use Your Talents”.

God sent Moses to convince them that he is holding something in his hand that is of paramount importance to improving their lives and helping them to come out of poverty. The rod in the hands of Moses was to be used to transform the lives of the Israelites to a better situation, and to help them be better people in their own right. The concept of “Use Your Talents” is the key to unlock the potential talents stored in the hands of communities around. God asked Moses what was in his hand – which was a rod. The rod had the potential to become a snake, but Moses was not aware of the significance of the rod until he threw it on the ground at God’s command. Then he realized the potential that was in the rod to change from a rod to a snake, and its significance.

“Use Your Talents” looks to remind people of what is in their hands which can be used to change the lives of their own people, and help them to become aware of, discover and release the talents in their lives. God reminded Moses that there was something important that he was holding in his hand which could be of help to transform his people from suffering. In the same way, communities need help to learn to discover potential talents that are in their lives and use such talents for the betterment of the community.

God helped Moses to release the potential talent that was in his hand, and it was used to liberate the children of Israel from bondage. Likewise, you can use the talent in you, your congregation and community to transform people’s lives in your community. The people back home are eagerly waiting for the “Moses” of their time to help them to tap the potential talents in their lives. In our communities, we need to try our level best to help people around us to release their potential talents and utilize them for the betterment of their families and communities at large.

READ THE TEXT ABOUT MOSES IN EXODUS 4:1-4

1 Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” 2 Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 3 The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So, Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand.

PRAYER:

Dear Jesus, You who gave Your life for the world. Thank You for Moses and the example he provides for us. Help us to see what is in our hands. Help us to be channels for Your blessing in our homes, at work, and elsewhere where we are. We worship You. Amen.

DISCUSSION:

1. How do the Mafo congregation use their talents?

2. Why do the Mafo congregation use their talents the way they do?