Hosanna Restoration Church

Not so long ago, the Lord impressed upon me the importance of being available for what ever He had planned rather than being so busy trying to figure out what He did have planned. Not that there is anything wrong with knowing in advance, but sometimes we can be so occupied with having a plan that we miss God’s plan. Anyway, when He spoke to me today about being usable or used up, my first flesh thought was, “God we just wrote about that!” I know, silly me. Once I quite thinking and started listening, I realized that while the two go hand in hand, each speaks to a different area in our spiritual walk.

It has been my experience when around those who desire to grow spiritually, that many are in the trap of having to be used by God all the time. When they feel they aren’t, they still feel like they have to say they are. Many get just plain frustrated trying to figure out ways for God to use them, or trying to figure out why He does not appear to be using them at all. If someone else says they have been used, they feel like they have to say how they are used, or worse yet go and do what they might consider useful. Many who do this end up feeling too used up to be usable.

Perhaps the greatest burn out rate due to this trap is among pastors and others who are in leadership or desiring it. In an attempt to be, or at least appear successful, we can miss God so far that pretty soon we are just out doing our own thing and God is made a spectator. Of course without His strength, things are sure to fizzle.

So then, are we supposed to just sit and do nothing as Christians? Of course not. But we should be careful that we remain usable. Each one is given a measure of faith, and gifts that go with it. God has plans that revolve around us being available to be used. If we are busy with our plans and doing what we consider useful, we may not have time when He calls. We may be so busy with our own order, that when He offers His plan, we feel like it is the last straw, when in fact, it was the first and most important thing. Besides, what may think is really important, may be way down on God’s list.

God’s plans are always fruitful. So if all that we do seems to be fruitless, it is probably because it is stuff that we are doing instead of what God has in mind. Sometimes it seems like Christians are afraid to just wait on the Lord, or if they do, they fear admitting it because someone might think they are not doing anything.

God help us to be usable and free enough to stay out of the trap of being used up! Then we will mount up with wings as eagles when You call us to fly. We will have the strength to run and not grow weary and walk and not faint. Enter His rest. He can use us there.