Use What’s in Your Hand

Well, come on up here on this ol’ front porch, friend, and grab yourself a real comfy chair before that ol’ screen door starts flappin’ like a turkey gobbler plum caught in a windstorm. Sometimes we look at our lives and wonder whether God could possibly use us. We see somebody else preachin’, teachin’, singin’, or servin’ like they’ve got heaven’s own spotlight on ’em while we feel about as impressive as a lil’ ol’ possum carryin’ a lunchbox.

But God has never needed impressive. He plum needs available.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Notice he didn’t say, “Whatever spectacular thing you do.” He said whatever.

That there means God can sho’-nuff’ use your classroom, kitchen, office, workshop, hospital room, computer, garden, or minivan that plum smells suspiciously like three french fries from 2019.

And here’s another beautiful truth. 1 Peter 4:10–11 tells us to use whatever gift we’ve received to serve others so that “in all things God may be glorified.” Your gift ain’t no kind of an accident. Your resources sho’-nuff’ ain’t random either. Even the place God has planted you downright matters.

We get ourselves all tangled up comparing assignments. One person’s callin’ looks like a mighty oak tree while ours feels like a lil’ ol’ acorn sittin’ there mindin’ its own lil’ ol’ business. But, friend, every oak tree God ever grew started out real small.

You may never see how one lil’ ol’ encouragin’ word, one faithful lil’ ol’ decision, one lil’ ol’ lesson taught, one lil’ ol’ meal delivered, or one lil’ ol’ quiet act of obedience fits into God’s bigger story. That doesn’t make it insignificant. Heaven downright measures differently than we do.

Your responsibility ain’t to become somebody else. It’s to faithfully give God what’s sho’-nuff’ already in your hand.

Lord, thank You for the gifts, opportunities, and people You’ve placed in my life. Help me stop comparing my assignment with someone else’s. Use even the ordinary parts of my day for Your glory. Make me faithful with what You’ve entrusted to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, scoot on off into your day, friend, and quit waitin’ around for lightnin’ to strike the henhouse before you believe God can plum use you. Give Him what you’ve got. A lil’ ol’ squirrel don’t apologize for not bein’ an ol’ eagle, and an acorn don’t never fret because it ain’t no oak tree yet. Stay real faithful, keep right on servin’, and be lettin’ God handle the growin’ parts.

With joy,

Gwen