What Does It Take?

At the campground, we get asked lots of questions. What kind of clouds are those, what’s kind of fern is that? What’s that bird or mushroom? What…what…what.

For the last few days I have been asking myself a “what” question. What does it take to be a good Christian?

There are so many Christians who seem to have it all together. There are better teachers, more educated Bible scholars, those who have been blessed with the finances to go and do great things for the Lord. Some are younger, stronger, more articulate.

So, what does it take to be used by the Lord?

• Adam was disobedient
• Noah drank too much wine
• Abraham was old
• Moses killed a man and he stuttered
• Miriam was a woman
• David was young
• Daniel was a slave
• Peter was impetuous and crude
• Zacchaeus was a cheating tax collector
• Mary was a bossy, work-a-holic
• Nicodemus was a closet Christian
• Rahab was a harlot
• The woman at the well was a social outcast
• Paul was a religious zealot who persecuted Christians

So, what does it take to be a good Christian and to be used by God?

There two things that all these people have in common. They accepted God’s forgiveness for their failings and they made themselves available. The Lord isn’t looking for people who will “wow” the world, He wants people who are willing to be used.

“Brothers and sisters, God chose you to be his. Think about that! Not many of you were wise in the way the world judges wisdom. Not many of you had great influence, and not many of you came from important families. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ And God chose what the world thinks is not important—what the world hates and thinks is nothing. He chose these to destroy what the world thinks is important. ²⁹ God did this so that no one can stand before him and boast about anything.” I Corinthians 1:26-29 ERV

He provides us with the strength, the talent, the wherewithal that’s necessary to reach the world but He won’t force anyone to serve Him. The ability that He is looking for in all of us is availability.

“They saw him and worshiped him, but some of them doubted.

¹⁸ Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! ¹⁹ Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:17-20 CEV

Jesus spoke to those who doubted and those who worshiped and gave them the same instruction. Go. You all go and tell the world everything you have learned from me. You won’t be going alone, I will be with you always. Be available and go.

So, here’s the question we all have to answer. Am I willing to be available?