Available or Out of Office?

For many people in the corporate world, one of the little joys of taking time off work is setting an out of office notification.

And honestly, it is a great thing. We need rest. We need boundaries. We need to step away from work and make room for life.

And if you do not work in a corporate environment, I am sure you know the equivalent: DND. Do Not Disturb. There is something satisfying about intentionally making yourself unavailable for a while.

But there is one place where I don’t think God wants us to be out of office or on DND.

The Kingdom.

There is an assignment God has already given us, and while we are away, it just sits there, undelivered.

I wonder how often we say, “God, use me,” while our spiritual out of office is quietly turned on.

Available when it is convenient.

Available when we have enough time.

Available when the assignment aligns with our plans.

Available when we understand what God is doing.

But what does it actually mean to be available to God?

Here am I. Send me.

Isaiah 6:8 says:

“Here am I! Send me.”

Isaiah heard God ask, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”

And his response was simple:

“Here am I. Send me.”

He did not ask where he was going.

He did not ask what the job description was.

He did not ask how difficult the assignment would be.

He made himself available.

But what does it mean to say, “Here am I”?

Romans 12:1 gives us a clue:

“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Isaiah said, “Send me.”

Romans tells us what that kind of response requires: surrender.

Before we can genuinely say, “Send me,” we have to be willing to say, “I belong to You.”

And that is where this gets uncomfortable.

Being available to God is not about finding space in our calendars. It is about allowing Him to direct our lives.

We want the assignment, but not the inconvenience.

We want the impact, but not always the obedience.

We want to be sent, but preferably somewhere we already planned to go.

And somewhere in the middle of writing this, I felt convicted.

Yes, I am also still a work in progress.

I have discovered that I can come up with some very intelligent responses for why I am not available.

I am busy.

This is not the right season.

I need to get a few things in order first.

Surely, there is someone more qualified.

The funny thing is that these responses can sound completely reasonable. Sometimes they even sound responsible.

But reasonable is not always obedient.

So I am making a decision: I want to become more available to God.

Not perfectly.

Not without questions.

Not without fear.

But available.

Ready for the assignment

There is another part of this that we sometimes overlook.

It is possible to be willing but not ready.

2 Timothy 2:21 says:

“…he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

That word ready stands out to me.

God is not only interested in our willingness. He is also interested in our preparation.

Am I asking God to use me while refusing to develop the character, discipline, wisdom or skills I may need?

Am I praying for opportunities while doing nothing to prepare for them?

Sometimes preparation is part of the assignment too.

But what exactly are we being sent to do?

This is where the Great Commission comes in.

Jesus did not leave His followers wondering whether there was an assignment. He gave one.

Matthew 28:19 says:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”

If we are followers of Christ, we have already been given a mission.

We can spend years asking God, “What is my purpose?” while overlooking the assignment He has already given every believer.

And being sent does not necessarily mean quitting your job and moving to another country.

It could mean being sent into your workplace.

Your neighbourhood.

Your friendship circle.

Your family.

Your church.

Your business.

Your online community.

Wherever God has placed you, there are people who may encounter Him through you.

Look for the opportunity

Galatians 6:10 makes this practical:

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone…”

As we have opportunity.

Maybe we do not need to wait for a dramatic assignment.

Maybe we need to start noticing the opportunities already in front of us.

The colleague going through something.

The friend who needs to hear about Jesus.

The person who needs encouragement.

The chance to forgive.

The opportunity to serve.

The person God keeps bringing to your mind.

Maybe the assignment is not always dramatic.

Maybe sometimes, the assignment is simply the opportunity.

So, are you available?

Isaiah heard the question, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” and said:

“Here am I. Send me.”

Maybe our response does not need to be complicated.

“Lord, here I am. What do You want to do through me today?”

Not tomorrow.

Not when everything is in order.

Not when we have figured it all out.

Today.

Because the assignment has already been given.

The opportunities are already around us.

The question is simply whether we will notice them.

Are you available, or are you out of office?

Thank you for reading! I hope this blesses you as much as it blessed me.