Photo Credit: Kate Remmers
"What’s that you have in your hand?"
I remember these words from long ago
They’re the words of a song
A song by Alvin Slaughter, a black American preacher
I remember being taught that song at a youth fellowship
Somewhere in Kano
It was in preparation for a concert
And I had joined the organisers’ mass choir
I must have been sixteen or so
I remember falling in love with that song
I would sing it for hours and just go on and on
The chorus goes thus,
What’s that you have in your hand?
I can use it
If you’re willing to lose it
Take the little you have and make it grand
I am El-shaddai
And I’ll more than supply your need
I think I loved the song that much
Because I very familiar with the scripture that inspired it
And because I loved how Alvin Slaughter using words
Gave the story life within the stanzas of the song
And somehow as I meditate upon my life this morning
And about the choices I am making this 2019
I am reminded again of this song
This song I fell in love with over 22 years ago
And I know there is a message for me in this song
A message I will like to share with you
The message is not another prosperity prayer
Rather it is a message about contentment
"What’s that you have in your hand? I can use it"
It is a message calling us out
To be thankful for what we’ve been given
Be thankful for what He has put in your hands
Not longing for what is in the hands of another
Jesus is saying to us,
What do you have in your hands?
I can use it
Be grateful for the little you have, make it grand
I am El-Shaddai
I will breathe upon it
And the bridge goes,
Let Him take it and bless it and break it and give it
He’ll multiply it
In the moment you lose it
And the moment you call
When you’ve given your all
He steps in, He steps in…
The song is about a message of contentment
God is asking you to be thankful for what He has put in your Hands
It may be five loaves and two fishes
Or five talents or two talents
Or maybe one talent even
He is asking you to present it
Let Him take it and bless it and break it and give it
He will multiply it
For it can feed the crowds
The harassed and helpless crowds
God is asking you to lose it to Him
For unless a corn of wheat falls to the ground and dies
It abides alone
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