How You See Determines What You See

Growing up, we were humorously told that Africans, especially in Nigeria, answer questions with questions. For example, if you asked, “Are you mad?” You are likely to get the response, “Who told you?” Funny right?

Well, if you agree with that, then you might think that God took the position of an African when He answered Moses’ question on public approval with a question: “What is that in your hand?” “A rod,” Moses said, perhaps reluctantly.

Moses’ disposition revealed what he thought about the rod in his hand – it was a mere rod, an insignificant object. It was hewn out of a tree and had become dry. In fact, it had lost its vitality and could no longer serve as a branch to produce fruits. It wasn’t beautiful to behold and there was nothing new to notice about it. It was simply redundant and unproductive. At best, it was suitable for leading sheep, but not for leading men.

However, God saw differently. And in some acts of grace, God showed Moses how that the rod which he saw as ordinary could be used for extraordinary exploits when the Spirit of God broods over it.

The rod was symbolic of two things. First, it symbolized Moses himself, as one who though rejected by men, was called, favoured and anointed by God to lead the very ones that have rejected him. Stephen later stated in his account: “This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.” (Acts 7:35)

Do you see yourself in this story of grace? Joseph was once there. David had his fair share of the same experience. And I can assure you by the authority of God’s word, that if you stay true to God’s purpose for your life, the people who once looked down on you shall yet look up to you.

Second, the rod in Moses’ hand symbolized the very little but useful things that he had overlooked while he kept expecting big things. God was calling his attention to the fact that great things start small, so he could not afford to despise the little that he had. In fact, little is much when God is in it.

Remember David’s sling and five stones? That was enough to bring down Goliath. The jawbone of a dead donkey was enough weapon for Samson to defeat one thousand fully armed Philistines. The little boy’s five loaves of bread and two fishes, when surrendered to Jesus Christ, were enough to feed five thousand men and multiples of women and children, with leftovers filling twelve baskets. The widow’s jar of oil was enough to secure her family’s survival and even produce a fortune as she started an oil factory in her small house.

Never despise the days of small beginnings, and never underestimate the power of a little that is surrendered to God. Don’t even do so because of the fear of public opinion!

The same rod that Moses despised was God’s big idea. It wrought signs and wonders in Egypt and confounded the Egyptian magicians. With it, Moses turned the waters in the Nile river to blood. With it, Moses parted the Red Sea. By the time Moses had done these miracles, it didn’t matter anymore who believed in him or not. Even those who dared to confront his authority would have been afraid of his rod!

(Culled from my upcoming book “Leading the African Future”)

PS: Are you thinking you’ve accomplished too little this year? Never despise your little because it can become great in God’s hands!

To your greatness,

Bright UK
The Chief Scribe