Feel Used? 

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:38–39 (NKJV) 

It’s been well said that “the greatest ability is availability.” You don’t have to live very long or look very far to know just how true that is!

Maybe you’ve been an employer or manager who fell in love with a resume or application. It was the all-star, can’t miss, perfect fit candidate and you couldn’t give them the position fast enough. Only to find out, once hired, they tended to not show up! Skill, talent, experience, symmetrical features, perfect posture . . . none of that matters if someone isn’t available to be called upon when needed. 

That truth isn’t lost on the Lord. In fact, He operated by it in establishing His work of building His Church and making His gospel known to the entire world. Let’s not forget Jesus called the least likely bunch of tradesmen to form the foundation of the Church. He wasn’t after talent, skill, or experience in executing a worldwide mission. What He was after were those who would simply obey and be available to be used by Him.

This is evidenced by the fact that the first thing He told them was to just wait for the Holy Spirit’s help before attempting anything (Luke 24:49). That’s what they did, and it’s the way God has been working ever since. He calls and enables those who are obedient and available to advance His agenda. 

There’s no better example of this than the moment we see here in the Book of Acts as Philip, being available and obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading, is used to baptize a man from Ethiopia whose heart had become ready to receive the gospel. The Spirit led Philip to just the right person at just the right moment to share just the right words with this man, who is thought to have helped found what has become the Coptic Church in Ethiopia. But just as soon as the Spirit led Philip into this, He leads him out.  

God didn’t allow for much introspection or grandstanding for what had happened here. As soon as the mission was accomplished, Philip was moved on to the next endeavor in the gospel’s advancement . . . all because he was available and open to the Lord’s leading.

The application for us could not be any clearer, but just in case we need reminding, our lives are to be yielded and available for God’s use whenever and however He desires to use us. Nothing is too overwhelming or advanced because it’s not our ability, but our availability, that factors into the equation. May our lives be used and useful as we say “Here I am!” to the Spirit. 

Pause: What is God looking for in His people before using them?

Practice: Reflect on how you have experienced God using your life and what proceeded it.

Pray: Lord, I ask that You would remind me that it’s not by my might or by my power, but by Your Spirit, that Your work is accomplished. Give me a deepening desire to be used by Your Spirit as I avail myself to You! Amen.