If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things. It is we, of course, to whom...small things are small.— A.W. Tozer
“What do you have?”—a question we often face in various contexts, from interviews to personal reflection. We’re challenged to consider what we bring to the table, and often we overlook the immense value of the seemingly small things in our possession. Just like the widow in 2 Kings 4, who thought she had nothing but a small flask of oil, we may miss the vast resources God has already provided.
The biblical story of the widow, guided by the prophet Elisha, mirrors the journey of Fanny Crosby, a woman blind from childhood, who became one of the most prolific hymn writers in history.
1 Both the widow and Crosby started with what seemed like "little"—the widow with her small flask of oil, and Crosby with her ability to write despite her blindness. Both witnessed God multiply their gifts in ways that profoundly impacted others.
Over her lifetime, Fanny Crosby penned over 9,000 hymns, inspiring millions across the world. Despite her physical blindness, her spiritual vision allowed her to pour out her gift of music, making a lasting impact in the Christian community. Crosby’s profound humility even led her to use almost 200 pseudonyms so her name wouldn’t overshadow her work. This remarkable feat might not have been possible without the influence of William B. Bradbury, a publisher who saw her potential and provided her with employment.
Crosby always sought divine guidance in her hymnwriting and her sensitivity to God’s leading made her contributions timeless, including well-loved hymns like "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour"
and "Blessed Assurance."
Like the widow, Crosby used what she had—faith, creativity, and a willingness to serve—and God multiplied it.
"What do you have?" is more than just a practical question—it’s a divine invitation to take stock of our lives and recognize the potential in what we’ve been given. The widow in 2 Kings 4 had more than she realized. Besides her flask of oil, she had her faith, her sons, neighbours, and a home—all of which played a role in the miracle that followed.
Like this widow, we are often endowed with and surrounded by untapped resources: networks, skills, experiences, and strengths that, when surrendered to God, can have an exponential impact. But we need guided reflection to see the potential we carry. The individuals whom God brings into our lives to counsel, challenge and encourage us help us discover and express far more of our capabilities than we could on our own.
Throughout Scripture, from the boy with loaves and fishes to Moses with his staff, we see that God uses what we have—even when it seems small. These stories encourage us to examine our lives and offer our resources and talents to God for His purposes. Whether it’s a skill, a supportive network, or a compassionate heart, these gifts can be used to accomplish great things for God's kingdom. In today's world, platforms like LinkedIn provide opportunities to leverage these resources in ways that can bless others.
Today, take time to reflect: What do you have? What small, overlooked gift can you dedicate to God today that might have a profound impact tomorrow? How will you use what you have to serve both God and the world around you? Like Fanny Crosby, let us use our gifts to glorify God and inspire others.