Wake Up and See What’s In Your Hand

Yesterday, I attended an impactful luncheon and awards ceremony; Voices for Recovery hosted by SAARA. One of the keynote speakers made reference to the Bible that stood out for me.

In Exodus 4:1-17, Moses doubted his calling three different times. He questioned whether people would believe him, whether he was capable enough, and whether he was the right person at all. But instead of giving Moses something new, God asked him one simple question:

“What is that in your hand?”

It was just a staff — something Moses already carried every day without realizing its value. That moment is powerful because it reminds us that purpose is often already sitting in our hands.

We spend so much time waiting for new opportunities, new resources, new confidence, or new qualifications that we overlook the strength, wisdom, and experience we already possess.

This is not just about recovery from addiction. Recovery is bigger than that. Some people are recovering from trauma. Some from incarceration. Some from divorce. Some from grief after losing a child. Some are recovering from depression, anxiety, rejection, abuse, or years of believing they were unworthy.

The battle may look different, but the principle is the same:

if you survived it, there is somebody else who needs your hand reaching back for them.

Too many people think their past disqualifies them, when in reality it may be the very thing that qualifies them to help someone else rise. Your lived experience gives you a level of empathy, understanding, and credibility that cannot be taught in a classroom.

People do not need perfection from you.

They need authenticity.

They need hope.

They need someone who understands what it feels like to sit in darkness and still choose to keep going.

I believe many people are walking around asking, “What is my calling?” while ignoring the responsibility already sitting in their heart.

Your calling is often connected to the pain you survived.

If you know what it feels like to be abandoned, then you probably have a responsibility to help people feel seen.

If you know what it feels like to struggle mentally or emotionally, then you probably have a responsibility to encourage others who are losing hope.

If you know what it feels like to rebuild your life after failure, addiction, prison, loss, or heartbreak, then you already carry something valuable that somebody else desperately needs.

That does not mean you need to have all the answers. It means you need to use what is already in your hand.

Your story is in your hand.

Your wisdom is in your hand.

Your compassion is in your hand.

Your survival is in your hand.

You do not need something new to begin helping people.

You simply need to grow what you already have.

Sometimes we think purpose has to look big, public, or impressive. But often purpose begins quietly — one conversation, one act of kindness, one moment of honesty, one decision to help somebody else feel less alone.

Your hardest battles can become a bridge for someone else.

And maybe this blog is simply your reminder today:

Stop overlooking what you already carry.

Wake up and see what’s in your hand.

Real Talk. Real Life. Real Victory.