"What's in Your Hand?"

[dhuffman]

Admittedly, I haven’t given much thought to the rod and staff as mentioned in Psalm 23. Largely because I have heard so many different perspectives on what they mean and why they are important. Sometimes those definitions are contradictory. Everyone has an option it seems. However, reading Laniak has given fresh wind for me to think differently concerning the staff.

I knew about some of the uses like pulling down branches, rescuing animals, and “nudging newborns.” However I was particularly interested in how Laniak brought the scriptures to life in a new way. I appreciated how he mentioned the staff as a tool or symbol of leadership. And that makes sense thinking about Moses and how the Lord used the staff in Moses’ hand as an instrument of liberty. Specifically, in Exodus 3 when Moses inquires to YHWH how to show the people that he was sent by God, the Lord asked “What’s in Your hand?” And that was used to show a sign from God by turning into a snake. I also never thought of the budding staff of Aaron confirming his priestly leadership. That was new to me. And finally, I had never though about Jesus sending his disciples out for ministry and told them to take nothing except their staff. It just never dawned on me to ask why.

Sometimes, I need the leadership, guidance and nudging that a staff would provide in my life. I get in places of discouragement, frustration, insecurity, and even sin. And I need the prodding from a brother or sister back to the Lord. And I need to learn to take seriously the staff of leadership the Lord has placed in my hands as I seek to shepherd my congregation, and not take it for granted. May the lord help me grow in this.