“Then He said to His disciples, ‘the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few’” Matthew 9:37.

As a believer, you are called to a life of stewardship but how available are you for God’s use? With the rising, overly common passion to make more money, ride expensive cars and build huge houses especially at early ages, many people are picking up multiple jobs and becoming workaholics. Everyone is busy. In all sincerity, working to make more money isn’t a bad idea at all. Matter of fact, Scripture says the hand that doesn’t work should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). However, when you become too busy with such things as making money, such that you become too busy for God, then it is a huge problem because in essence, that thing making you too busy has become your idol, it has taken the place of God in your life (Colossians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 10:14; Exodus 20:3).

You’re probably wondering why God is yet to answer your prayer that He should use you. Often times you cry out “God use me” but you get nothing in response to your plea. Have you ever considered that maybe it’s because you’re too busy for God? God will not force Himself on you. If you keep clamoring that you want to be used by Him but your actions speak otherwise, then He’d leave you till you make up your mind. No matter how tight your schedule is, if you love God and more especially want to be His vessel, then you have to create time for Him. Your availability matters in your walk with God. Except you present yourself as a living sacrifice to God, sanctified (set apart) for His purpose you cannot be used by Him.

Moreover, you cannot present yourself to God as a living sacrifice without humility. It does not matter how faithful or devoted you are to God, if you act like a know-it-all, He will not use you. If at all He must use you for His purpose, then He will first humble you (note that to humble a person is not the same as to make a person humble; King Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God but the Holy Spirit makes us humble). Humility is one of the key things God looks for in men alongside dedication, king David can testify to that. Remember, the Lord resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; Psalms 51:17). You need to be teachable, willing to unlearn, relearn and learn new things and you of course, need to be submissive to God’s will.

When we present ourselves to God for His use, we are never at loss. You might be skeptical about this initial statement because those who are used by God are often persecuted. But if that’s your point, then you are wrong. Pastor Steven Furtick said “the birthmark of a believer is a bull’s eye”. That is, as a representative of God, you are constantly under the attack of the world (unbelievers). They will persecute you whether or not you make yourself available. So long as you are a firm believer who is living by the word, the world cannot love you. In that case, why not do it all (finish the work of God till the end) if you’d still be persecuted anyway? Paul said “for me to live is (for) Christ and to die (for Christ) is gain” (Philippians 1:21). So, tell me, at what point are you at loss when you make yourself available for God’s use? Imagine you present yourself to God for the ministry of healing, you automatically become a conduit of God’s healing power. There is absolutely no way sickness can remain in your body either. Likewise, when you make yourself available for kingdom activities like preaching the word, you edify your soul and strengthen your spirit man also.

The whole world needs to hear about Jesus because His second coming is nearby (Matthew 24:44; Philippians 4:5; Revelations 22:12). God wants to use you to spread the good news of salvation. He wants to use you for signs and wonders but He can’t, unless you make yourself available. Don’t get too busy for God, He’s never too busy for you (Isaiah 65:24). If you don’t make yourself available to be used by God, then you may be used by the devil.