| Over the years I have had the privilege of taking | | | | says they will go "wherever", how many of them |
| an annual prayer retreat. During those times I | | | | have their passports stamped and active? Do |
| would go to a secluded location in the woods or | | | | their actions really bear out their words? |
| near a lake, to open my heart to God. It is during | | | | There are many reasons that we unfortunately |
| those times that I found God challenging me and | | | | say "no" to God. God leads in a certain direction |
| stretching me to dream big and take large steps | | | | and we begin to withdraw our commitment. "I |
| of faith. | | | | can't afford it!" "I don't know enough!" "I couldn't |
| An issue that I constantly find myself being | | | | leave my friends and family!" Do any of these |
| challenged in is the issue of availability. It is so | | | | sound familiar? |
| easy to become worried about my abilities and | | | | To follow where God leads requires complete |
| how God is going to use them, but what God is | | | | surrender and a sold out commitment. In the |
| truly interested in is my availability. Take a look at | | | | story of Jesus' birth, the shepherds were |
| this passage from Isaiah: | | | | compelled to see Jesus. Nothing else mattered at |
| Isaiah 6:8 (NLT) | | | | that point. Are you in that same place, where |
| Then I heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I | | | | following Jesus is the greatest passion in your life. |
| send as a messenger to my people? Who will go | | | | I sometimes wonder what blessings I have |
| for us?" And I said, "Lord, I'll go! Send me." | | | | missed out on by not going where I have been |
| More than God cares about my leadership skills, | | | | led. |
| my speaking ability or my people skills He most | | | | This week I want to challenge you to be available. |
| cares about my willingness to go. Many of us say | | | | Are you willing to truly say, "Wherever He leads I'll |
| that "Wherever He leads I'll go.", but would we | | | | go?" Make yourself available to God and His |
| really? In one of the books I read on my retreat | | | | purposes. Ask Him to invite you into the midst of |
| the author mused that for every person who | | | | His activity. |