Available

"Here I am." Those words sound so simple, yet they have become so powerful to me lately. In all of the roles that I play in my life -- husband, father, son, teacher, minister, etc. -- there is so much that I am called to be. The list of qualities that I am to display and tasks which I am to perform are often overwhelming. How many days do I go about my business feeling overmatched by the expectations that are put upon me? Surely I cannot be the only one around that feels the tension between what I am called to be and the person that I am.

Recently, though, something has jumped out at me from God's word. There was a time when I would look through scripture and feel even more intimidated. Just read through Hebrews 11 and read of the men and women who accomplished great things for God and try not to feel small in comparison. But there is a commonality among these people, and most people, described in scripture.

Those God called in scripture were not amazing in nature. In fact, they were often quite the opposite. None of the apostles stood out from the crowd, yet they were called to walk in ministry with Jesus. Scripture is filled with losers that God used to shame the wise. They do, however, have 1 quality in common -- availability. When God called them -- Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Samuel, etc -- they responded, "Here I am." That's a simple phrase, but incredibly powerful. They were open to the great adventure God called them to. They were willing to say "yes" when so much of them wanted to say "no." They simply opened themselves up and were available to God. They let God do the heavy lifting. "Here I am" is powerful.

I'm even more amazed when "Here I am" is placed next to the words God used to describe himself. When Moses asked God for a name to tell Pharaoh, God called himself "I Am." God just is...and everything and everyone else is defined in relationship to him. It's much more important who God is -- and what's most important about me is where I am. God is the "I Am" and I just need to be the one who says "Here I am." Because God is who he is, I am here for him.

All the things that I feel I need to be are not important. God is...and all I need to be is available. God will do the rest. He defines me. He works within me. He gives me meaning. He is the key ingredient to my success. God already is all the things I long to be. The only pressure I have is to be open to him. Therefore, God, here I am.