I believe the main roadblock for any of us being available is our own selfishness. Although the Lord does not need our help, He desires to work through people to build His Kingdom. 1 Peter 4:10God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.[1]
Something happens in our heart when we begin to serve one another. When we serve one another, we begin to see others in a different light, and it put the focus on others and not ourselves. Many people lead empty lives because they are turned inward. When we turn outward, we begin to experience a joy we have never experienced before.
Philip was Available to Build God’s Kingdom
Philip was enjoying a successful ministry in Samaria when the Lord gave him a new assignment to build God’s Kingdom. Philip, without hesitation, obeyed the direction of an angel of the Lord. The Lord’s direction guided Philip to the treasurer of Ethiopia who did not understand a Bible passage that he was reading from the book of Isaiah. Philip explained the passage to the Ethiopian and shared the Good News of Jesus with him. After the Ethiopian heard the Good News of Jesus he requested to be baptized by Philip.
It seems that sharing the Good News of Jesus with this man was very important. It was important to the Ethiopian, and he was also a person of great influence. The Scripture does not say, but I think we can assume that this man shared the Good News of Jesus with others. How many people were saved because Philip and the Ethiopian were available to build God’s Kingdom? Only the Lord knows.
Being Available to God Makes a Difference
If we are not available, we are little use to the Lord! A person who is available to be used by the Lord can make a significant difference in the lives of many people. The Lord loves to work through others, and He loves to work through you. As the Lord works through you, His plan for your life begins to unfold. God’s plan always builds others and us up.
As Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” (quote from The Cost of Discipleship) We may want to come and shine for Jesus or come and grow. Come and die sounds harsh, but we must surrender what we have and who we are at the feet of Jesus. It is then that we are available to be part of God’s harvest and bring life to this world. Are you available to build God’s Kingdom? To find out more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-philip-the-ethiopian
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Pe 4:10). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.