The way you look at things will change the things you look at.
This common expression, “Is the glass half empty or half full?” is generally used rhetorically to indicate that a particular situation could be a cause for optimism (half full) or pessimism (half empty).
When we look at the glass half empty, we focus on what we don’t have, which often leads to paralysis—“I can’t do anything because I don’t have anything.” Yet, when we look at the glass as part full, it opens up a whole realm of possibilities—“I not only have what I need, but I can even share because it’s more than enough.”
In the Parable of the talents told in Matthew 25:14-30, the servant who received the one talent looked at what he didn’t have instead of what he did have, then he hid what he had. He was a half empty kind of guy.
Moses too was a half empty kind of guy. He was living out in the wilderness when God called him to a monumental task: “Set my people free!” Moses focused on what he did not have and made excuses for why he couldn’t do what God called him to do. It wasn’t until God asked him a question in Exodus 4:2 that Moses began a transformation from half empty to half full. Referring to the staff in his hand, God asked Moses, “What is in your hand?”
When God asked him this question, Moses focused on the staff in his hand and surrendered it to God. It was only then that he saw the power of God demonstrated. He became a half full kind of guy and God was able to use him to set the children of Israel free from 400 years of slavery.
What is in your hand?
- Paul was a prisoner who had a song in his heart
- David was a boy who had a sling shot
- Abraham was a tent dweller who had an obedient step
- Gideon’s small army had clay pots and torches
By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. | Hebrews 11:33-35
It is humbling to realize that God will take the simple talents we have and, when surrendered to Him, use them for His glory. One of our core values at ZOE is gratitude and it is with grateful hearts that we thank God for glasses that are not just half full, but are also overflowing with the power of God to accomplish all that He has called us to do. It is only by His hand that what is in our hand can be used for reaching every person and rescuing every child from human trafficking.
Recognize that your glass is full and pour it out for His glory.
