"Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in his decrees and obey his commands.” - 1 Kings 8:61 NASB
What does it mean to make yourself available to God? I know what it means to make yourself available to another person. I know what it means to make yourself available to drugs and alcohol. I know what it means to make yourself available to food. I know what it means to make yourself available to sex. I know what it means to make yourself available to fear, gossip, unbelief, anxiety and anger but what does it mean to make yourself fully available to God?
Availability ultimately comes down to time. Time is something we have so little of, yet we waste it on frivolous things and people. Making yourself available to be accessible for God to use, may present you with some difficult choices. However, by listening to, obeying and believing in God, you will find that making yourself available to Him, will help you achieve things you once thought were improbable.
Listen
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” [Jesus] said. – Matthew 14:28-29 NIV
You hear that? That sound you hear is God calling you to draw closer to Him. You might be saying to yourself, “I do not hear anything”, but God’s voice is loudest in silence. He calls us when we are sitting alone in our despair. He calls us when we are settling into grief. He calls us when we are isolated in fear. He calls us in the middle of our biggest mistakes and embarrassments. God is always calling us to come nearer to Him and it is our responsibility to discern His voice in the midst of the storms raging around us.
Obey
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
– Matthew 14:29-30 NIV
Obeying God is scary. Especially when you get out of your boat – your “boat” are those things and people that have become comfortable and familiar to you. It is easier remaining in the boat, in negativity, cynicism and doubt, than to walk on God’s word. Your breakthrough will occur outside of your comfort zone. Make yourself available to God by obeying His commands – even if you are afraid and unsure about the outcome. Seek the LORD while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near, and He will never let you drown (Isaiah 55:6).
Believe
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” – Matthew 14:31 NIV
If you believe, you will see the glory of God (John 11:40). Believing God will require your devotion - that means having faith in God and not man, or your situation or circumstances. During adverse times, we often place our trust in others instead of God. Never feel bad about choosing your peace and happiness over negative things and toxic people. God yearns for a more intimate relationship with you. Others may have said awful things about you, but believe what God says about you. The report may appear ominous but believe in God’s healing power. The odds may be stacked against you but believe that with God’s help you will do mighty things, for He will give you the victory (Psalm 108:13).
Make yourself available to God by listening, obeying and believing. Then you will be ready to get out of your boat and leave those things and people you once settled in behind. Get out of the boat and walk on top of your fears. Get out of the boat and walk on top of your uncertainty. Get out of the boat and walk on top of your shame. Get out of the boat and make yourself fully available to God.
What does it mean to make yourself available to God? I know what it means to make yourself available to another person. I know what it means to make yourself available to drugs and alcohol. I know what it means to make yourself available to food. I know what it means to make yourself available to sex. I know what it means to make yourself available to fear, gossip, unbelief, anxiety and anger but what does it mean to make yourself fully available to God?
Availability ultimately comes down to time. Time is something we have so little of, yet we waste it on frivolous things and people. Making yourself available to be accessible for God to use, may present you with some difficult choices. However, by listening to, obeying and believing in God, you will find that making yourself available to Him, will help you achieve things you once thought were improbable.
Listen
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” [Jesus] said. – Matthew 14:28-29 NIV
You hear that? That sound you hear is God calling you to draw closer to Him. You might be saying to yourself, “I do not hear anything”, but God’s voice is loudest in silence. He calls us when we are sitting alone in our despair. He calls us when we are settling into grief. He calls us when we are isolated in fear. He calls us in the middle of our biggest mistakes and embarrassments. God is always calling us to come nearer to Him and it is our responsibility to discern His voice in the midst of the storms raging around us.
Obey
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
– Matthew 14:29-30 NIV
Obeying God is scary. Especially when you get out of your boat – your “boat” are those things and people that have become comfortable and familiar to you. It is easier remaining in the boat, in negativity, cynicism and doubt, than to walk on God’s word. Your breakthrough will occur outside of your comfort zone. Make yourself available to God by obeying His commands – even if you are afraid and unsure about the outcome. Seek the LORD while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near, and He will never let you drown (Isaiah 55:6).
Believe
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” – Matthew 14:31 NIV
If you believe, you will see the glory of God (John 11:40). Believing God will require your devotion - that means having faith in God and not man, or your situation or circumstances. During adverse times, we often place our trust in others instead of God. Never feel bad about choosing your peace and happiness over negative things and toxic people. God yearns for a more intimate relationship with you. Others may have said awful things about you, but believe what God says about you. The report may appear ominous but believe in God’s healing power. The odds may be stacked against you but believe that with God’s help you will do mighty things, for He will give you the victory (Psalm 108:13).
Make yourself available to God by listening, obeying and believing. Then you will be ready to get out of your boat and leave those things and people you once settled in behind. Get out of the boat and walk on top of your fears. Get out of the boat and walk on top of your uncertainty. Get out of the boat and walk on top of your shame. Get out of the boat and make yourself fully available to God.
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