Lord, I’m Available to You.
The sound of “being used by God” is music to most of our ears. It’s a sweet melody of how God would take something so small and insignificant, compared to Himself, and give it meaning and purpose on a divinely grand scale.
Who wouldn’t feel special, given that there are billions of other options – and God chooses you for His plans? You’re the vessel chosen to bring God glory…what an honor, right?
Do you want to be used by God?
I do.
But, along with being used by God, I also want to be endorsed by God. I want God’s approval!
“Well, if God USES you, hasn’t He already endorsed you?”
It depends.
The million dollar question we often overlook is – “Used for what?“
God Always Has Purpose in Mind
Pawn or Servant?
There are some plans, outcomes, and destinies ordained by God that we really don’t want to be used for. Don’t believe me?
Just ask Judas Iscariot.
In John 6:70, Jesus tells His disciples: “Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”
Judas was part of Jesus’ team – his inner circle who walked, ate, fellowshipped with Him on a regular basis.
But, God used Judas’ decision to betray Jesus (Matthew 27:4) to kick-off the series of events that would lead to the crucifixion. Jesus was purposed to die. This brought God glory, and ultimately – Judas played a role.
What Does This Tell Us, Teammates?
It shows that God can use an un-willing vessel – one who decides not to follow the principles of Jesus Christ – just as much as He uses a willing, obedient vessel. This is the subtle difference between players who are used by God, but God does not “approve” of their tactics or lifestyle. They are pawns, rather than servants.
There are pawns all around us who are being used by God to birth glorious testimonies in our lives. As a self-check, ask yourself these “used for what” questions:
- Are you being used to build the faith of your brother or sister?
- Are you playing the Gossip who God uses to strengthen the character of His daughter?
- Is your disobedience driving someone to build a disciplined prayer life?
- Is God using your rebellion to show Himself stronger than your popularity or position over another?
As a member of the body of Christ, one of our key goals is to work for the good of God’s glory. Never allow the following verse to personally apply to you:
But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. — Genesis 50:20
God Always Has the Heart in Mind
Greater Works?
Perhaps you answered “No” to the questions above. Your life is filled with “greater works” for the Lord, e.g. healing the sick, casting out devils, etc.
Remember the article about using good works to disguise our resistance or disobedience to God’s will? Well, one of the most jarring verses in the Bible regarding being “used by God” is Matthew 7:22-23:
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Not some. Not a few. But many, Lord?
Again, what does this tell us from a Team standpoint – a team with a verifiable enemy, the devil (1 Peter 5:8)? Actually, several things:
- We cannot allow ourselves to be manipulated by the enemy into lofty, public good deeds – with secret sin or hearts that are far from God. Don’t deceive yourself.
- Signs, wonders, and miracles CAN be performed by those who profess Christ with their mouths, with hearts filled with bad fruit. Jesus never had fellowship with these workers of iniquity.
- We can very well receive the “wonderful works” of deliverance, healing, and miracles by those who are not endorsed by God.
- The enemy is defeated with greater works performed by obedient vessels who God knows, endorses, and approves. In contrast, the enemy is not phased by greater works alone – when he knows he’ll win in the end due to our disobedience.
- We must be careful who WE co-sign as men and women of God, those “chosen” by God, “true prophets” of God, and the like. Does Jesus “know” them? Does God approve and endorse them? If not, then from such turn away (2 Timothy 3:5).
So, What’s the Play Call?
Seek to be used and approved by God in the spirit of obedience and holiness.
Always align your service to God vertically from a submitted heart first, and then horizontally with others.
Remain in a searchable posture before the Lord; in your time with God, ask Him to search your heart and see if anything needs to be healed, removed, forgiven, or fine-tuned.
Remember, it is God’s desire to know us and to be known by us; we are purposed by God to be stewards of everything He made (Hebrews 2:6-7). He’s counting on us.
Can God both use and endorse YOU?
I’d like to take you back to the opening days of creation in the first chapter of Genesis and lead you through the encounter in the garden where Adam and Eve ate of the fruit in chapter 3.
In the third chapter of Genesis, we view the fall of humanity. Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It was the singular express commandment God forbade of His creation. In their disobedience, they entered into the knowledge of good and evil, bringing forth sin, guilt, shame, and desire for things which would draw them away from their Creator. They no longer reflected the righteousness of God. Instead, they projected their sinful desires.
Lifespan Development highlights the average age in which we reach certain milestones. I want to highlight early childhood and adolescence because we form our identity during these stages.
Lifespan development also teaches us how important it is to raise our children up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). Children start to distinguish words and sounds at about 6 months old! Knowing this, we can be sure to read the Bible aloud, play appropriate music, and avoid unwholesome talk (which we should be doing anyway). Our example to them is most important because they need to see us walk the walk.
Motivation is essential to growth! Internal motivation is what drives you to what God has for you. My Intro to Psychology textbook defines motivation as wants or needs that direct our behavior toward a goal. For example, if you’re tired, you’ll be motivated to go home, shower, and get in bed. This seems so simple and obvious, but in reading this I realized that whether you are productive or not – motivation is present!
In the body of Christ, we’re always learning. Proverbs 18:15 says “Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” It’s important to know your preferred method of learning – seeing, doing, hearing – so that you can figure out how to make the best out of your 
The Bible declares that God is our Father and our heavenly Father’s heart is for His children. He has our best interest at heart. Remember, love is not self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13:5) and God is love (1 John 4:8). Therefore, God is seeking what is best for us because He is love.
When we know God’s heart we will never miss God. When we understand His heart we won’t just know what to do because we fellowship with Him, but we will also know why we’re doing what we’re doing.
In Matthew 14:22, Jesus gives orders to the disciples to get into a ship and go to the other side while He dismisses the crowd. As the disciples followed His orders and began cruising to their destination, they encounter a storm. As they are battling the storm, Jesus comes toward the ship walking on water. When they see Him, they mistake Him for a ghost.
It wasn’t until recently that I really paid any attention to why I felt this way – it was because “I” can’t.
