Day 31: Ability vs. Availability

“God uses our availability as much as our ability.” I heard this statement at church when I was a teenager. Back then it gave me confidence that if an opportunity presented itself to serve God in an area that I didn’t really feel “qualified” that He would use my availability, my willingness to be used, as much as or more than the ability I felt I possessed. As an adult, I realize that we now refer to that type of feeling as “God stretching us!”

Almost 18 months ago Mike and I began to pray about a College/Career Ministry at Greenridge. We personally felt this need because we had a child that was living at home and attending college locally. No longer a high school student and beginning the path to adulthood…Where did she “fit in” at church? We knew there had to be others that were in this same situation. We knew that there would be more each year as students graduated high school and moved from the vibrant high school ministry that Bill and Sarah provide. So, we began to pray and talk about what our role might be and what the ministry might look like. Was this where God wanted us to serve at Greenridge? After a couple of weeks of prayer and discussion, Pastor Tim’s sermon, one Sunday morning, spoke directly to us. As the close of the service came, Mike and I confirmed with each other that God was telling us to move forward in this area. Did we feel qualified? Did we have the ability? Not completely. However, we were parents who longed for college aged young adults to have a place at Greenridge. Neither of us have the “gift” of teaching, but we both knew how to welcome them, get to know them, encourage them in their walk with the Lord, and we would try not to sound like their parents…we were available. We went forward that Sunday morning and told Tim that the Lord was leading us down this path…we were not sure what shape the ministry would take, but we were available.

That was in the spring of 2008. We were amazed to learn that there were 81 young adults between the age of 18 and 25 in our church database! Wow! We began contacting them to share the opportunity available at Greenridge to connect with other believers their age. Through the months, the group has grown, and God continues to bring new faces our way. It is sort of a revolving door type of ministry since young adults are in 50 different directions. Our desire is to encourage them to stand strong for who they are in Christ whether they are in the community working, locally attending college or away at school and to help them stay connected with the body of Christ during these transition years. We have been truly blessed by knowing these amazing young adults and are excited to see some of them serving and moving into leadership roles here at Greenridge and on college campuses. In recent weeks God has brought Nick and Tia Ryan to our group as the Bible study discussion leaders. Their love for the Lord is obvious, and they really have a heart for college aged young adults...it will be exciting to see what God has in store for this group!

Is God speaking to you about serving in an area that you feel you lack ability? I love these two verses:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

“Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think; according to the power that works within us.” Ephesians 3:20

Trust Him…you will be amazed at how God meets you right where you are and uses you in ways you did not think possible.

Are you available?

~Mike and Nancy Creighton