09/05/2026
“What Do You Have?” — The Power of Your “Except”
Most of you know my story of how I dropped out of school in 1999 at Form two as a student at Bavuni Secondary school and then 5 years later in 2004 I went back to school at Anestar Boys Bahati. This was a genuine act of faith and in 2006 I did my KCSE, scored an A(minus) and was the 4th best student in the school that year.
My testimony though in line with the above question is in 2015 December I resigned from St John Ambulance where I was working as a Training Manager and I had not done a good planning of my next move and the months that followed was one of my most difficult time in life trying to survive in Nairobi with all the bills, had a young family and we didn't have any income.
One day during my prayer and meditation time the Lord asked me, "What do you have?" The one thing I knew I had was some First Aid and Safety skills and the Holy Spirit led me to start a Safety Training company which is now one of the largest in the region known as The Makinika Afrika Intl which has trained more than 100, 000 people and then He led me to start a Safety Equipment company known as The Nairobi Safety House which has helped hundreds of thousands build a culture of safety and become safety compliant. I am also An Ambassador of Safety Nebosh Health and Safety Leadership Excellence Certified Ambassador Of Safety And Intentional Encourager by the grace of God.
On 26th May 2011 during my prayer time at midnight I was asking God what He created me for and what He wanted me to be doing and He asked me, "What do you have in your hands"? I was lying on the floor holding a blue Nokia phone and I said, "Only a phone". He told me to be using it to encourage people and since then, every day I do post motivational messages on my page Amb Steve Mbugua , have spoken in more than 100 schools and churches, authored 14 books and established The Africa Youth Rescue Initiative where I am the Founder and president and our mission is to Encourage, Motivate, Inspire, Mentor, Motivate, Lead, Guide and Stir up the young people to Arise and Pursue their Purpose and Dreams in a Godly way.
“Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?’ ‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a little oil.’” 2Kings4:2
Many people focus on what they lack, while heaven focuses on what remains. The widow saw emptiness, but God saw potential. Elisha asked two powerful questions that still speak to us today:
1. “How can I help you?”
This is a question of connection, humility, and willingness. In real life, growth begins when we allow guidance, mentorship, prayer, support, or wisdom into our lives. Nobody succeeds alone. Sometimes your breakthrough begins when you stop suffering silently and open your heart for help.
2. “What do you have in your house?”
This is a question of purpose, potential, and hidden value. Many people are praying for miracles while ignoring the gifts, skills, ideas, relationships, education, experience, passion, and opportunities already around them. Moses had a rod. David had a sling. The widow had oil. What you call “small” may be the seed of your next testimony.
Then comes the most powerful word in the verse: “EXCEPT.”
“Except” means there is still something left. You may say:
“I lost my job… except I still have my skills.”
“I failed before… except I still have another chance.”
“I am discouraged… except I still have faith.”
“I have little… except I still have vision, breath, strength, and God.”
God specializes in multiplying the “except.” The little oil became abundance because it was surrendered, used, and believed in.
Real Life Equation
Faith + What You Have + Action = Multiplication
Where:
a = Your little
b = God’s favor and your action
c = Overflow and testimony
A young person may say, “I don’t have school fees, connections, or money… except I can work hard, learn, and remain disciplined.” That “except” can become a business, a career, a ministry, or a destiny changer. Great things often begin with small beginnings.
“Never ignore your EXCEPT — your miracle may be hidden in it.”
“What looks little in your hands becomes great in God’s hands.”
Do not despise what is left in your life. The enemy wants you to focus on emptiness, but God wants you to recognize the oil. Your remaining strength, gift, idea, prayer life, experience, or opportunity may be the very thing God will use to lift you and bless others.
Your “except” is not insignificant — it is prophetic.
Ambassador Steve Mbugua
Intentional Encourager
0724 036078
