“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (I Corinthians 4:2)
A veteran missionary in Africa testified about an older woman saved by the gospel. Though blind and illiterate, she desired to share her newfound faith with her friends and neighbors. She asked the missionary for a copy of the Bible in French. Upon receiving the Bible, the woman had the preacher underline John 3:16 in red and mark the page for her to find it quickly.
The missionary gave the testimony of how he followed the woman with her marked Bible to see what she would do. The new believer made her way to an all-boys school before the children were let out for the day. As the boys were dismissed, the lady stood by the front door, asking if they could read French. When one of the boys would reply, “Yes,” she would immediately ask if they could read to her the verse underlined in red.
The boy would read: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“Do you know what that verse means?” She would then explain how he could receive Jesus as Savior to the young man.
The missionary reported that because of this lady’s faithful witness over the years, twenty-four of the schoolboys that she led to Christ later became African pastors.
Source: Colossians and Philemon: The Supremacy of Christ, R. Kent Hughes
Your Greatest Ability: Availability
“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house….” “…The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 9:60-62; 10:2)
Good news! God chooses the poor but rich in faith to get his work done. The rich in this world are “too busy” to answer Christ’s call. “Me first” is their response to “follow me.” The rich will not go through the eye of the needle, but the poor folks like the blind lady in our account will. “The blind, the lame, and the halt” go into the kingdom. God uses them to get His work done (Luke 7:22). Are you poor in talent, looks, and capability? Good news! Your inabilities are no problem for God. God works through your infirmities for His glory (II Cor. 12:9) “Not many mighty are chosen” (I Cor. 1:26). God has chosen “the poor, rich in faith” to work in His field (James 2:5). God can and will use you if you let Him. The difference between someone God uses and someone He does not use comes down to one thing: availability. Make yourself available!
In my pocket is a pocketknife. Dozens of times, I have used my knife as a screwdriver. Why? A screwdriver was not available, but my knife was. A screwdriver was a better tool, but it was not on hand. The pocketknife was not the most qualified, but it was accessible. There are people far more talented than you for the work of the ministry, but they are not available. When Jesus said, “follow me,” they said, “me first.” God uses people who make themselves available.
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. (Matthew 4:20)
Like the blind lady in our story, the apostles made themselves available to God. The rich in this world, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and royalty of Christ’s day said, “no” to following Christ. They did not give up their comfortable positions to follow the Lord, but the disciples of our Lord did. When they heard “Follow me,” “they straightway (quickly) left their nets.” Christ was their priority. Christ’s call meant leaving their nets behind. The “fishing nets” in our lives are “good things” we say goodbye to so that we can obtain “the best thing,” following Christ.
The missionary report of the poor, illiterate, blind lady demonstrates to us a woman who gave up her comfort, pride, and time to serve Christ by telling young schoolboys about Him. We, too, must follow her example and make Christ our priority, leaving our nets behind and following the Lord’s call. Let’s make ourselves available.
Paul and Moses decided to leave their “nets” and follow Christ. Here is their testimony:
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:7-8)
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:24-27)