When Is a Stick More than a Stick?

I’ve used them. I’ve tripped over them while hiking. I’ve tossed them with canines. I’ve swung them at trees and other objects (mostly inanimate.)

In hiking, I have a man made set of sticks that keep me from falling and hurting myself. My wonderful church family purchased me a pair of Black Diamond trekking poles … the Alpine Carbon Cork line. These have saved me from plummeting to my demise on the trail multiple times.

Now, I have a friend that takes exotic woods and salvages wood found on his treks. He works with love and tenderness to make practically used works of art that he then leaves all across the region at trail heads for people to use.

He also uses a tag to inform trekkers the sticks are meant to be a blessing. Check out his Facebook page WBFSticks.

All of this conversation about sticks make me think of one of the most famous sticks of all times – Moses’ staff. Think about it … mentioned in a 3000 year old text that is still read by people, a staff that turns into a snake, eats competing snakes, parts the Red Sea, splits a rock to bring water out of it, secures a victory in battle when risen, and more. I mean, this is one rad stick that has a powerful story to tell. And it plays a part in story telling in many movies.

Four thoughts from thinking about the stick …

FIRST: It’s just a stick – – Moses was asked (by God no less,) ‘What’s that in your hand?’ It’s just a stick. A piece of wood, solidly built (it did last,) probably proven itself over the years. How many miles had it traveled? How many sheep had it saved from straying? How many rams’ heads had it bonked (in loving discipline I am sure?) This was just a stick; heavily used, but still just a stick.

God, I am nothing. I may have seen a lot of stuff in my life, but I am just a single little nothing of value. How could you ever use something like me that is just hanging around? And all that I have in my life (experiences, talents, etc.) is nothing special. Even more, everything I have has scratches, flaws, knots, crooks, and more.

SECOND: Any stick could’ve been used … It didn’t have to be my stick. God could’ve told Moses to pick up any stick, borrow a stick, or provide a brand new stick. God didn’t have to use Moses’s stick. There are probably sturdier, straighter, prettier sticks. Maybe there could have been designer sticks, or sticks that have been used by great people.

God, there are so many other people and their assets that are so much better than me and mine. They have better degrees, more affluent connections, bolder stories, prettier images. Why would you use one like me?

THIRD: God, How can you use the stick that is my hand? … I do have talents. I have experiences that can be used to connect with ours. God has given me gifts and talents that might be useful … a weirdness (yes, I hold the title weird as an honor), a quick wit, creativity, openness to trying new things, some few friends with other skills, and more. Maybe, just maybe, God might choose to what I have in my life.

God, I surrender all. Use anything I have. May I be a good steward of all you have blessed to me. Use everything, please, use anything to build Your Kingdom. It’s all form you anyway, so use it all as You wish.

FOURTH, and LAST: I want to be your stick … It’s not just surrendering your talents, your checkbook, your house, your vocation, your everything you own. It is also about surrendering ourself. Our desires. Our time. Our passions. Our very self. You see, allowing God to use your possessions still keeps us out of the equation. Good doesn’t delight in sacrifices but in a broken, contrite heart. It’s more than allowing Him to use our ‘stuff’ but to use us.

God, use me. Use everything I have, but mostly, use me.

When is a stick more than just a stick? When it is me and when I am used by God!

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This discussion is adapted from notes I took at a Passion Conference over 10 years ago. I didn’t write down the name of the speaker or if it was just my thoughts. But, I just want to be transparent in full discloser.