Nyashadzaishe Rushwaya
In a world where many people are waiting for better opportunities, more money, more resources or someone to open a door for them, perhaps we need to pause and ask a different question:
What is already in your hands?
The question comes from one of the most powerful moments in the story of Moses.
When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses was uncertain about his ability to fulfil such a great responsibility. He focused on his weaknesses and questioned whether people would listen to him.
God, however, did not begin by telling Moses what he needed to acquire. Instead, He asked him:
“What is that in thine hand?” — Exodus 4:2
Moses replied, “A rod.”
It was just a staff. Something ordinary that Moses already possessed and used in his daily life. Yet God showed Moses that what appeared ordinary could become an instrument for an extraordinary purpose.
The lesson is important for us today.
Too often, we concentrate on what we do not have. We say we need more money before starting a business, more equipment before developing a skill, more connections before pursuing an opportunity or more support before helping our community.
There is nothing wrong with wanting better resources. But sometimes, the greatest obstacle is not the absence of resources—it is our failure to recognise and use the resources already available to us.
What is in your hands?
Perhaps it is a skill you have developed over the years. Perhaps it is knowledge passed down by your parents or grandparents. It could be a small piece of land, a sewing machine, a mobile phone, a creative idea, a talent for cooking, farming, building, teaching or making things with your hands.It may not look like much.But neither did Moses’ rod.
Zimbabwean communities have enormous resources that are sometimes overlooked. Our people possess traditional knowledge, craftsmanship, agricultural skills, cultural heritage and entrepreneurial ideas. Our elders carry knowledge that can teach younger generations, while our young people possess creativity, technology and energy that can help transform communities.The challenge is to bring these strengths together.
A traditional skill can become a business. Cultural knowledge can become a tourism experience. A small garden can contribute to household income. A young person’s talent can become an enterprise. A simple idea can create employment for others.
We should therefore stop believing that community development always begins with large amounts of money.Sometimes it begins with one person deciding to use what they already have.
The Bible reminds us in Zechariah 4:10,Small beginnings matter.We should not be ashamed of starting small. The important thing is to start, learn, improve and remain consistent.
Moses did not receive everything before beginning his assignment. He was first asked to recognise what was already in his hands. The same principle can challenge us today: before asking what more we need, let us consider what we can do with what we already possess.
This is particularly important for young people. Instead of waiting for perfect conditions, they can begin with their skills and available technology. Instead of seeing their communities only through the challenges they face, they can also look for opportunities within those communities.
The journey towards development does not always require us to begin with much. It requires us to begin with purpose.
So, before saying, “I don’t have enough,” take another look.
Look at your hands.Look at your skills.Look at your community.
There may be more potential there than you realise.
Moses had a rod.
What do you have?
Use it. Develop it. Share it. Put it to work.
Because sometimes, the thing we are waiting for is not something that needs to come from somewhere else.
It may already be in our hands.
