Part of being available is letting God be God. This calls for denying ourselves the “right” to exercise our free will to do as we please. As stated in part one, God is sovereign and we must allow Him to dictate how He uses us. We must learn to be content where He places us and what He gives us. Another area is that which pertains to holiness. God desires to use vessels of honor, to whom He can say, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord!” It breaks His heart to say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23, KJV). This latter statement refers to those who said they did many wonderful works in Jesus’ Name (see Matthew 7:21-22); nevertheless, they will be cast out into utter darkness. The motivation they had was ungodly. They failed to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Therefore, they were unknown to Him. As it written, “But if any man love God, the same is known of him” (1 Corinthians 8:3, KJV). That is to say, they were not intimate. Essentially, they went about their business in a state of self-deception and self-righteousness, which are as filthy rags. Just because the Name of Jesus works and His gifts work, it does not mean the individual that uses them is righteous before God.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). That means availability is predicated on loving the Lord. What is the greatest commandment? Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself (see Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-31). In order to be truly available and allow God to use us in a way that is wellpleasing to Him, we need to walk in love. Please understand that does not mean we seek to prove our love to Him; rather, our works are the result of our love for Him. Remember Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (KJV). It still boils down to those good works being the Lord’s, which He does through us. We simply have the privilege of doing them with the Father.
Relationship is important for another reason: trust. Generally, when a person’s relationship with another is sound, trust will be part of it. If a person does not have a loving relationship with the Father, he will not trust God to use him. When a person knows he is loved by another, he will open himself up more to him. If we know God has our best interest at heart, we will trust Him with our lives. If we know that He desires an intimate relationship with us, we know the Father will choose us as well. For example, when choosing people to play on their team, whom do people usually pick first? Their friends. When people realize that God loves them and considers them His sons and daughters, they will be more apt to believe He wants to use them. Listen, God does indeed love you and does want to do things with you. If you love Him that is a proof He loves you. 1John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us (KJV). Secondly, Jesus paid the Price so you could have that relationship with the Father. You cannot earn His love. He wants you!
God is not dysfunctional. He is unlike any earthly father. That means if you had a father who was abusive, you cannot consider your heavenly Father to be the same. He is very loving because He is love (see 1John 4:8). In fact, the most loving father on the planet will never compare to Him. If you are one who had a father abandon you, do not confuse God with him. God will never bail on you. Neither will He ignore you, as some fathers who are absent while living in the same house. You are important to Him and you have His attention. The question is: does the Father have yours?
If you ignore God, do not expect to be used. If you love Him, you will listen to Him as well. Dive into the relationship with reckless abandon. Trust that the Father not only will use you, but He will not hang you out to dry when He does. Remember that our Reward is in heaven; therefore, if being used includes hardship, endure until the end. Trust God, no matter what! Love Him enough to obey Him. So often people ask, “Does God really love me?” The real question is: do you really love God? Ask the one you see in the mirror that same question. See if he or she can look you in the eye as he or she answers.
