"I'm Available, Lord"

By: Jack McCall

1 John 2:27

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

What an encouraging and enlightening passage about God’s anointing, huh?

I read it this way: For us, the presence of God that we received from him remains in us; we do not need anyone to teach it to us. Rather, his presence teaches us about all things, and as that presence is real, not counterfeit, we need to remain in him.

I get excited about the fact that God’s presence is not only in me, but also available to work through me for his glory. His presence teaches me about all things and brings me into situations that I would never be able to orchestrate on my own. I am in awe, and rightly so, about the many different ways he communicates his wishes to us and uses us to fulfill each one.

Once, while praying with some friends, I heard myself pray, “Lord, show me a need today and empower me to fulfill it for you.” That same morning I attended a work-related seminar. I was one of the first people to arrive and found a spot in the front. A nice young woman came in and took the seat right next to me. That wouldn’t have struck me as interesting were there not forty other empty seats.

I prayed softly, “I’m available, Lord.” By saying that little prayer, I’m letting God know that I am willing to be used and that I want to tap into his love for this particular situation. I never know though, how God wants to use me. He usually becomes a very powerful listening force in me, because if I can’t hear what he hears, I can’t possibly do what he wants done.

We introduced ourselves and shared some light conversation. She had moved out here from the Midwest all by herself - rather courageous for a woman right out of college. Then she began sharing about not being home with her family and the loss of her father a couple of years earlier. Not knowing her faith background, I asked her if we could pray together. She agreed and immediately the presence of God flowing from her was joined with the presence of God flowing from me. I know that this encounter was divine in nature, but I never really know what God is doing in it all; I never have and never will. I say that because his anointed presence is like a pebble in a pond: far reaching. My assignment is to be open and available so that his presence has place and purpose.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Am I inviting God to be present in all my encounters or do I block him from using me?