Over the last year the words “what is in your hand?” have challenged me time and time again. It is so easy to get despondent when we look around us and wonder what we can possibly do? The need is so great. And yet if we give God all that we are, our time, our gifts, our family, our brokenness, our illness somehow he transforms and does more than we can ask or imagine. I often wonder what it must have been like to rebuild the wall in Nehemiah’s time. Are our hearts sad like Nehemiah’s was? Are we willing to work with others side by side, shoulder to shoulder? Only then can the walls be rebuilt. God commands a blessing when we dwell in unity. Are we willing to rebuild or are we waiting for others to do it for us? Politicians, Church Leaders, Parents, Children, Friends, Volunteers, Businesses…. Do we stand and watch? Getting bitter, getting fearful, and getting judgemental? Or do we prayerfully give God all that we are and ask Him to help us build up our families, our communities and our nation. Do we release all that we are into His service? That God would help us get better not bitter. That He would cast out all fear and that He would help us let go of judgement. We must not despise the day of small things. Jesus took the bread and the small fish off the disciples and He gave thanks before distributing them. God multiplied what was in their hand. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). Show us Lord what is in our hands and help us to give these things to you that you would use them for your glory. Amen.

Some people treat ministry like a self service meal. They get their tray and then they pick and choose what they want on their plate. When they get to the till they find there is not much on their plate. They tell God what they can or can’t do. If they just stopped at each choice and asked God what he wanted then their plate would be overflowing. God promises us abundant life. Sometimes we dictate what is on our plate and then moan about it. And yet his abundance is there if we seek his face. He opens up possibilities and gives us boldness to do things. He opens up doors than no man can shut. But he never forces us to do anything. It is only as we are available and open to his spirit, willing to go for him that the dynamics change. It is no longer a self service meal. But it is a meal that not only feeds us but meets the needs of those we live amongst. I guess the question is how many times do I limit what God can do in my life by my agenda and my comfort zones. Some of the greatest blessings I have experienced have been when I have gone outside my comfort zone and done or said something which I may initially not have done if I had not prayed about it or felt a prompting in my heart. Next time you grab a tray and life presents you with choices be open to try new things as well as the familar favourites. God can and does enlarge the place of our tent if we are open to his spirit.