“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”” Isaiah 6:8 NLT
I am often approached with the question, “How Can I Be Used By God?” I think, for the most part, most people want to to be used by God but have come up short in making themselves available for Him to actually move in their lives. Excuse after excuse turns into years of doing nothing and wondering if you will ever do what God has asked you to do in the first place.
Let me ask you first - what are your dreams and desires - what are the things that get you excited about when thinking about serving God? Is it giving to the poor? Teaching a group of children? Serving behind the scenes? Giving to missions? Etc.
If your excuses were behind you and finances were not a factor what would you really like to do in God’s Kingdom? What would make your heart be excited about doing?
Let me ask another question? Do you hear God speaking to your spirit as you go about your day? How alert are you to God’s voice that is speaking to you in your daily life? When is the last time you actually said, “Lord, Here I am, I am listening and willing to obey?”
Many times, we aren't doing what God is asking us to do because we can’t see how God is working in and around us. Our spiritual senses qhave been dulled by not being in touch with God and by our doing our own things.
I like what Proverbs says - “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.” Proverbs 29:18 MSG
I have found, that even in the dark places of my life, God is usually working and moving and there are things that He wants me to do for Him. In times like this we especially need to make ourselves available to Him.
It’s never too late to be used by God. I love the saying, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” God has a plan for you and it is good. He is waiting for you to make yourself available to Him because He has an assignment for you to fulfill.
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV) 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV) 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
Don’t be afraid to risk failure. The only way you will know if you are doing the right thing sometimes is to try different things and see how that “fits” your life and personality and God’s calling in your life.
Proverbs 24:16 (ESV) 16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
We need to step out in faith in some areas of our lives. We can’t always play it safe. Failure is not when you fall but when you refuse to rise up again.
Hebrews 5:8 (ESV) 8 Although he was a son, he learned through what he suffered.
When people succeed – they tend to party. When they fail – they tend to ponder. It’s in the pondering stage that we tend to grow.
Ron Mehl – “Never despise anything that brings us to our knees.”
C.T. Studds – “The gamblers of gold are so many. The gamblers of God are so little.”
We must not associate risk with pain but with pleasing God…
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
As we begin to be used by God - there is an important thing we must all do - we must develop an atmosphere of joy in being able to serve Jesus (even if it is a very small task).
Another thing, we must daily cleanse ourselves so that we can serve our king with a joyful heart.
I have found that my level of joy correlates with my level of strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV) 10 … And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
If we lose our joy we become weak and bored and we soon give up.
Psalm 51:12 (ESV) 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
The devil can’t steal your ministry, marriage, etc. from you. But what he will do is steal away your joy. PROTECT YOUR JOY.
Serve Him in whatever you do with all your heart. Be thankful for even the little things God is asking you to do.
When the crowds were pressing in on Jesus by the Sea Of Galilee - He turned and asked Peter for His boat. When there was a need to feed the people - He turned and asked for a boys lunch. He used Moses’ rod to bring water out of the Rock and for them to pass over the Red Sea.
Give God what you have, make it available to Him. Let Him know that you are willing to serve Him wherever it might be - even it small in nature.
God honors a willing and loving heart. Give God what you have and make yourself available to Him and watch how He will use you in ministry.
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