When God wants to accomplish something great, He doesn’t look for the most talented, educated, influencer in the room—He looks for the available one. From Genesis to Revelation, that’s the pattern. Abraham wasn’t a young visionary but a seventy-year-old wandering nomad when God called him to father a nation. Moses was an 80-year-old fugitive who was not a public speaker. Gideon was hiding in a winepress, convinced he was a nobody. The disciples were mostly fishermen, one tax collector, a zealot, and a few unknowns—not one stellar evangelist or captivating preacher in the bunch.
When I became a grandfather for the first time, I wondered how I could be a good grandpa to Caleb. I decided to work on these three qualities: being a good listener, not judging—no matter what- and being available. My initial strategy has served our 28-year relationship well. Caleb and I have an incredible, close bond.
Availability, not ability, has always been God’s starting point.
We men are trained from an early age to climb the next mountain, win at all costs, gain control of the situation, don’t whine, and don’t reveal any weakness. We don’t say, “Here I am, ” when called by God.” Our first instinct is to measure ourselves. Are we ready? Do we have what it takes? Will we succeed? Trusting God to provide doesn’t even show up on our radar.
The truth? None of us is fully ready when God calls—and that’s the point. He’s not asking for perfection; He’s looking for a willing, available spirit.
Most men never experience the thrill of God working through them because they never make themselves interruptible. Their calendars packed, their minds distracted, and their hearts crowded. We confuse busyness with productivity and think movement demonstrates progress. But activity doesn’t equal obedience. Sometimes the most powerful thing a man can say to God is, “I’m available.”
Scripture
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another.”
— Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)
Isaiah’s response came after a life-changing encounter with God’s holiness. Before he said “send me,” he said “woe is me.” Brokenness preceded usefulness. Isaiah realized that God wasn’t looking for a perfect man—He was looking for a surrendered one. The word send here carries the idea of being commissioned, entrusted, or dispatched with purpose. Isaiah didn’t know the details of his mission, but he trusted the Caller more than the call.
That’s what availability looks like: obedience without a full itinerary.
Application
One of the most damaging lies men believe is that God only uses certain kinds of people—pastors, missionaries, gifted communicators. But Scripture paints a different story. The Kingdom runs on the backs of ordinary men who made themselves available: fishermen, tentmakers, farmers, soldiers, carpenters, jailers. Doesn’t that demonstrate that God is waiting and ready to use you?
What’s not being said well in most men’s circles is that availability requires bandwidth—and our busy schedules have eliminated bandwidth. We fill every moment with something: we grab a few minutes in front of the TV before going out, or pick up our phones to check our social apps while waiting in line, sitting for an appointment, or, yikes, while stuck in traffic. We’ve left no room for God to interrupt us. When He tries to speak, our calendars say, “Sorry, I’m booked.”
Being available doesn’t mean quitting your job or neglecting your family. It doesn’t mean shelving everything you love to do. It means being interruptible when a notification comes in from the men’s group needing a hand getting someone moved into their new apartment, or when your teenager needs a listening ear.
If you want to see God move through your life, leave room for God’s interruption in your schedule. Faith never happens when it’s convenient. The men who make the greatest impact are the ones who respond when the opportunity doesn’t make sense.
Here’s what no one’s saying out loud: God doesn’t need your skill set. He wants your surrender. He can teach anyone to preach, fix, build, or lead—but He can’t use an unavailable heart.
Today’s Challenge: will you say, “Here I am,” next time?
Take a look at your week. What’s consuming your attention, your time, your energy? Ask God, “Where am I too busy to hear You?” Then ask Him to help you clear space in your schedule—and your soul. Make availability your offering.
Then pray this:
“God, I’m done waiting for perfect conditions. I’m available. Use me wherever, whenever, however You choose. Interrupt my plans if You must, and help me see those interruptions as invitations to serve You. Give me ears to hear Your call and courage to answer. Amen.”
Final Thought
The men God uses most are rarely the ones with the best resumes. They’re the ones who are simply willing to show up. Availability is an act of trust. It says, “God, I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m here.”
You’ll never discover the fullness of your calling if you keep asking for details before you obey. Step first, and the clarity will come later. God reveals the map as you walk the path.
Don’t wait until you feel ready—you won’t. It’s hard to be a great husband until the day you say, “I do.” Or to prepare to be a loving dad until your first son or daughter is born. Readiness comes after obedience. The moment you say, “Here I am,” heaven takes notice. God doesn’t need your perfection; He needs your participation.
This week’s step: Say yes to one unexpected opportunity this week. Don’t analyze it to death—just act. It might be helping a neighbor, mentoring a young man, or praying for someone you usually walk past. Be interruptible. When you say, “I’m available,” God will make sure you’re not bored.
Snag this PRINT-friendly version for your next men’s breakfast or Bible study.
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