2 Cor 3:5-6

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" 2 Cor 3:5-6

Paul was a “with it” type of guy. As Saul, he was an up and coming young leader. He had already become a member of the Sanhedrin. He was a Pharisee par excellence. He was zealous for the faith - to the point of persecuting the rebellious and dangerous “Christian" sect. He was well educated and well connected. He had it all.

But something happened on the road to Damascus - more than just a conversion took place. Saul underwent a heart transplant. Instead of becoming a great evangelist for his new faith, he disappeared into the wilderness for around ten years. Instead of relying upon his past training, he set it all aside. When he finally made his way to Corinth, he was a humble man making his own way as a tent maker. He had lost the fancy speech of an educated man. His body had been broken by numerous beatings at the hands of both the Romans and the Jews. He had at least one near death experience.

What was the effect of all this? Paul no longer claimed to have anything to offer the Father: "Not that we are adequate in ourselves . . .." Paul would never claim to be anything other than a slave to Jesus. His only claim to fame - from his viewpoint - was saying "Yes, Lord. Here am I, send me" when he saw Jesus on the Damascus road. Saul made himself available and God changed him totally even giving him a new name, Paul.

Do you want to do great things for God? All you have to do is be available - really available. When the Lord sends you, go. When the Lord says speak, open your mouth. Don't get me wrong. This is not a license to be crazy. God does not want us to make our own way. He does not want us to be "bulls in a china closet." He does not expect us to go into the field of battle unprepared.

When an infantry unit goes into the field, they do not have air support and artillery support from the time they leave camp. However, when they contact the enemy, all these things are available as needed. If God sends you to the mission field, He will provide all the necessary tools - including funding. If God sends you to Bible College, He will make a way for you - you don't need to rely on "student loans." When God says go, he will tell you when, where and how.

Are you ready? Good. Be available. Hallelujah, Amen.