The Most Available
By Lexi Ellis
“For it is God who works in you,
both to will and to work for His
good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
Once, I
overheard one of my precious fourth graders trying to convince the other that
he/she was “more busier.” After gently correcting the superlative (always a
teachable moment), I smiled and lovingly said, “I guarantee
you both are busy. Now, how about we get busy with learning?”
I don’t
need to convince you we’re busy. I don’t need evidence and studies to show
we’re fast-paced…that our world never seems to stop. And yet, in the midst of
the busyness, God has recently laid on my heart that He calls us to be
available.
When we
look at Christ’s ministry, we see Him becoming more available to others as His
ministry continued. His availability increased, despite having a much “busier”
mission. We see Christ pausing to be available for questions and to love on
others. John Hinger, a youth pastor in Illinois, told my Student Council
members at a leadership conference, “Those who make the greatest impact are the
most available.”
When we
show up, we have opportunities for God to use us. When we are available to God,
we are given the joy of caring for others. When we slow down, we give God the
opportunity for open doors to share Christ with others and tangibly show His
love.
I think
of the times my husband has stopped what he’s doing to be available when I
needed to talk. I think of how my parents have made themselves available to
just sit and listen when tragedy has struck. I think of the response work team
that left to help after Hurricane Sandy, or the individual who covers a Sunday
School class when there’s a need. These people are available.
This
isn’t to say that what we fill our lives with is bad, or that we should drop
everything. Nor am I trying to guilt you into serving. But what I personally
have been convicted of is that we need to be available to God, so He can use us
to be available to others.
We are
the tangible hands of the Church and we must be willing to ask the Holy Spirit
how He wants us to be available. It will look different for all of us. Maybe
being available is responding to the email when your church needs something.
Maybe being available is carving out time in your schedule to build into others
or serve. Maybe being available is paying attention to when God wants you to
just show up and be present with someone.
We are
busy…even my dear fourth graders. But Jesus was available…and we are called to
be, too.
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
As we move into 2015, ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of what tangible way
you need to be available today and this upcoming year.
FURTHER
READING:
Lexi’s family consists of her, her husband, Andrew, her
daughter, Sloane, and her dog, Calvin. She teaches sixth grade Reading and
Writing and serves with Children’s Ministries.
