Can it be that God helps you understand stewardship with one word — one seemingly inconsequential word?

That is my experience. In this collection of words above do you see staff (to the left and a bit below center)? Staff, the seemingly inconsequential word, takes center stage.

Remember the narrative of Moses in Exodus 3 and 4? Moses, a shepherd, is on Mount Sinai tending to the  sheep of his father-in-law. Suddenly this ordinary day turns into something totally unexpected: an angel with a message from God, a burning bush, holy ground, and when God knew he had Moses’ attention an affirmation of his identity. “I am the God or your father,” (3:6)

Then the reason for the visit, God to Moses: “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” (3:10) Quite the daunting task for an everyday shepherd!

And Moses was daunted … and scared … and feeling mighty insecure. Excuses, questions, and pleas came fast. “Who am I that I should go …” (3:11) If I come to the people of Israel and they challenge me, who do I say you (God) are? (3:13) “They will not believe me or listen to my voice,”  (4:1) “I am not eloquent,” (4:10) “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” (4:13)

How might you feel if God tasked you with a seemingly impossible job?

I’m identifying with Moses.

I also love God’s meeting Moses where he is and responding to each excuse. “He (God) said, “But I will be with you,”” (3:12) “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM… This is my name forever,” (3:14, 15) I AM, or Yahweh is also a clear reminder of God’s promises to his people and of his help for them to fulfill their calling. (ESV Study Bible notes)

Then the staff, that essential piece of equipment for a shepherd, becomes one of the pictures God uses to communicate to Moses about his they will not believe me excuse. God asks for the staff and instructs Moses to throw it on the ground. It turns into a snake and Moses runs. I would too. God’s next instruction is even scarier, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail” (4:4) Moses obeys and the snake becomes a staff once again.

After two additional convincing pictures of God’s ability, God challenges Moses’ other excuses. The I am not eloquent, “Who has made man’s mouth? I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (4:11, 12) Please send someone else, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.” (4:14, 15)

Back to the staff.

After Aaron enters the picture, God says, “And take in your hand this staff,” (4:17, italics mine) This staff.  A staff is an essential tool of Moses’ trade; this staff is the very staff God is using to demonstrate his power.  Now God is highlighting it again. Just a few verses later Moses called this staff, the staff of God! (4:20) Moses is now understanding.

As I ponder, what does stewardship look like at this point in my journey, questions come to my mind too.

What is that essential tool of my trade as a writer that God wants to use to catch my attention?
Am I listening or am I making excuses?
Who are my Aarons?
Will I see my ‘staffs’ as the very thing God has provided for the tasks he has for me?

What about you? How might you answer the questions God has brought to my attention?

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you
will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6