The Staff in Your Hand: When God Uses the Ones Who Feel Unlikely

A Devotional for Anyone Who's Ever Felt "Not Enough"

If you've ever felt too small, too unseen, or too unsure—this is your reminder that God can use what’s already in your hand to do the impossible.

Exodus 4:2 (NIV)
Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.

 

God Doesn’t Call the Qualified—He Qualifies the Called

When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He didn’t choose someone polished and prepared.
He chose a man hiding in the wilderness.

Moses had a complicated past. Once a prince of Egypt, now an exile tending sheep. When God told him to confront Pharaoh, Moses responded like many of us would:

“Who am I to do this?”
“What if they don’t believe me?”
“I’m not a good speaker.”
“Please send someone else.”

Moses listed his weaknesses. God asked one question:

“What is in your hand?”

A staff.
Ordinary. Overlooked. A shepherd’s tool. But in God’s hands, it became a symbol of deliverance.
It turned into a serpent before Pharaoh, struck the Nile, parted the Red Sea, and brought water from a rock.

When Egypt’s magicians tried to copy God’s signs, their serpents were swallowed up. Because what comes from God may be simple—but it is never powerless.

God also sent Aaron to support Moses, proving: God doesn’t need you to have everything. He will send what you lack. All He asks for is obedience.

 

The Only Woman in the Room: My Story

This passage isn't just theology—it’s my lived experience.

As a Filipina and a female tech founder in Singapore, I often find myself in a sea of black suits—usually the only one in pink.

The only one who doesn’t have a technical background.

I’m not a coder. I didn’t come from engineering. I don’t speak in programming languages or algorithms.

In an industry dominated by developers and data scientists, I stand out—not because I’m less capable, but because I’m different.
And often, different is mistaken for disqualified.

People hear my background and subtly dismiss me.
They think, “How can she run a tech company if she isn’t technical?”
“She’s not one of us.”
What they don’t see is what God has placed in my hand.

I may not write code—but I specialize in global market expansion. I build strategic bridges across borders, industries, and cultures. I understand users, growth, and vision. While others build the product, I build the path.

And just like Moses, my weakness became my strength.

Because God didn’t ask me to have it all—He asked me to trust Him with what I do have. And He sent me the rest.

He sent me an “Aaron”—a CTO who is strong in technology, who can build and scale what I imagine.
And He sent me a “Hur”—a CFO who brings sharp financial planning and keeps the business steady.

God surrounded me with the people I needed—not to compensate for my lack, but to complete the vision.

I’ve walked through seasons where I questioned myself.

“Why am I here?”
“What if I’m not enough?”
“What if they’re right about me?”

And in those moments, God simply asked:

“What is in your hand?”

Vision.
Courage.
The grit to start from nothing.
The calling to lead even when others don’t understand.

That’s my staff. And it’s enough—because He’s the One holding it with me.

 

Truths to Hold When You Feel Unlikely

If you’re in a season where you feel unqualified, underestimated, or unseen—pause. Take a deep breath. Look at your hands.

Here are five powerful truths from Moses’ story—and mine—that you can hold on to today:

1. God will use what you already have.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” – Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)

You don’t need more degrees, more followers, or more validation. The starting point of your calling is already in your hand.

2. Your weakness is not a liability—it’s the doorway to grace.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Moses stuttered. I’ve doubted. You’ve probably hesitated. But it’s in our limitations that God’s strength is most visible.

3. You won’t have to do it alone—God sends help.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV)

God gave Moses Aaron. He’ll send you the right partners—whether that’s a friend, a mentor, an investor, or someone who believes in the vision when no one else does.

4. What’s from God cannot be replicated or replaced.

“No weapon forged against you will prevail...” – Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)

The magicians copied Moses’ signs—but God’s power always rises above the imitation. When your calling is from God, no one can outdo or undo it.

5. Obedience outweighs perfection every single time.

“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.” – Isaiah 1:19 (NIV)

God isn’t asking you to be perfect—just present. Just obedient. Just willing to try.

 

To Sum It All Up:

The staff in your hand is enough—because God is the one holding your future.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing what the world often overlooks. Thank You for calling me—not because I’m perfect, but because I’m Yours. Like Moses, I’ve felt fear. I’ve felt the weight of not being enough. But You gently ask me to stop focusing on what I lack and to trust what’s already in my hand.

Today, I surrender my voice, my vision, my experiences, and my gifts to You. Use them. Multiply them. Strengthen me with Your presence and surround me with the people I need for the journey.

Let Your power shine through my surrender—and let my life be a reminder that You love to work through the ones who feel unlikely.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

🙌 Declaration:

Today, I say yes to what’s in my hand—because I believe God will use it to build something that lasts.