| 1:49 min read |

Are you available? This question is used in many ways to determine the status of someone? Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “available” as “present or ready for immediate use.”

One of the main requirements for being used by God is availability. In fact, God seems to be more concerned about our availability than our ability. God can and will take someone who is available to be used by Him, and put them to work in His Kingdom, even if they’re short on ability! Why? Because God can easily give you whatever ability is needed for the assignment, but only you can provide the availability.

Samuel the prophet learned this lesson early in his life. As a young boy, being raised by Eli the priest in God’s house, Samuel was awakened one night by the voice of God. God had a plan for Samuel’s life and wanted to communicate His plan to the young boy. Eli told Samuel how to respond when God spoke to him in 1 Samuel 3:9, 10 (NIV) “So Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’”

Samuel received an education that night in spiritual availability. He made himself ready to respond to God.

How often does God give us an opportunity to be used by Him, to bless or help someone, to share an encouraging word with them, or to make a difference through our willingness to serve others around us or in the church? Yet we miss the moment because we’re not available. We’re not ready. We’re not willing. We’re not listening.

Let’s stop worrying so much about our abilities and work on our availability. That’s when great things for God will get done through your life. Are you available?

Pastor Dale

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