Years ago, in the Colorado mountains, God took a new believer, (me) and gave me a life application lesson from a very wise brother-in-Christ. The words impacted my life deeply and have given me great comfort over the years. “God is more interested in your availability, than in your ability,” said my brother (who has since entered into Glory). My immediate reaction was great – as I knew very little about the word of God and was new in my walk with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As I thought about it and put that phrase into action-it became evident that my brother-in-Christ knew what he was talking about! It was evident in all aspects of my life; leadership, husband, father, son, and a child of God – that God wasn’t interested in my ability. He was solely interested in my availability and obedience to the circumstances and situations He put in front of me! That’s right – obedience! My availability (obedience) was simply being willing to embrace what, where, and when God called me to be, regardless of whether or not I thought I was “able”.
God’s word is very clear with regards to this view – I Corinthians 2:1-2 says, “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Exactly! I could relate and completely understand Paul’s statement…. “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” I started approaching every aspect of my life with simply that – the Gospel! “…I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”
I can remember the very first time I shared Jesus Christ with someone publically. I was scared to death. I could certainly relate to Paul, later in this same passage, “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.” ( I Corinthians 2:3) I felt weak, was fearful that I’d mess the presentation of the gospel up, and was actually shaking (trembling). But God in His infinite grace and mercy got me through it, in spite of my lack of ability. And this poor man that I was sharing with – in the end, accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Evidence that vs. 4-5 of that same passage were true… “And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” When God is with you, nothing can stand against you! Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God is looking for our availability! When I check my ego at the door and respond out of obedience to Him, the results are His. In that same breath, however, I’m reminded of the last half of verse 5, in John 15: “… for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
As I walk with Jesus, it becomes clearer every day that it is not about me…it is about Him. If I remain available, He will use me, in often times the most unusual ways. It is about Him, crucified, buried, and Risen! I Corinthians 15:3-4 is the Gospel. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures.” Availability, not ability! I remind myself of that every day! Have you told God you’re Available? If not, I encourage you to do so! Be assured, God will answer and give you the opportunity to be obedient! E² (evangelism & edification) is exciting!
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