Our Staffs

“Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands…As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning" (Ex 17:9-11).

Being a shepherd, Moses used his staff to guide and prod his flock.  This was a tool used in his everyday job much like our computers are for our work responsibilities.  It wasn’t until God empowered the staff that Moses began to perform God’s miracles and fulfill God’s purposes for his life.  We find him facing a battle wherein God instructed him to go and stand on the mountain while Joshua fought this battle.  What part was Moses to play in the day?  He was to use the empowered workplace tool, his staff, to show the others his belief and obedience in God’s deliverance.  When Moses became too tired…too weary…the weight became too much…he dropped his arms and God’s plan became compromised.  We can’t blame Moses…he had worked for years…he was old and weary.  Faithfully, God sent people to stand alongside of him and lift up his arms and the battle was won.

It is easy to get frustrated with our mundane jobs as we face our staff and dread the day.  Our jobs can be a source of joy or a source of monotony.  All of our work has been directed by God in order to accomplish His will.  Don’t you know that Moses became bored as he stood on the sidelines watching the action.  But Moses trusted God for His plan and His provision.  He didn’t argue with God about his job assignment, nor did he reject the help that was offered him.  At the end of the day when the battle was won and their lives were blessed he most likely was both humbled and grateful for his part in the workday.  He was still being mightily used by God as an established leader, although it no doubt didn’t feel like much of a contribution.  We cannot presume to know the impact our contribution is having on others.  We must trust God with our staffs no matter how long we have been working with our vocation.  All work is a blessing from God and shouldn’t be taken for granted.  Every project on which my grandmother worked was dedicated back to God.  She would sit on the floor, spread out the pages and commit it back to Him as a way of deep gratitude for His provisions. 

‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving’ Colossians 3:23-24.