I Hear You Call; I am Available!

Do you ever sing worship songs and then get tested on what you sang to God? Do you mean the words you sing or is it just lip service sometimes? This morning I sang a lot of words to Jesus in church. But these seven words penetrated my heart: I hear You call; I am available.

Standing in church this morning, worshipping Jesus, my heart began to open wide to praise my Lord and Savior. I find that with each song sung, my heart becomes much more in tune. It’s not just my voice warming up, it’s my heart warming up too.

The last song we sang, Available, God did something in me. I meant what I was singing. It became my prayer today. When I sat down after the song, I wrote at the top of my notebook, “I Hear You Call; I am available!” I put a star next to these words.

After church, my husband and I stopped at Walmart to pick up a few grocery items before heading home. As we turned right out of the baking isle and started walking to find the next thing on our list I heard, “Michelle!” I thought it strange because I knew it wasn’t my husband because he was right behind me, and this sounded further away. It must be for someone else, I thought, so I kept walking. But I heard it again, “Michelle!” 

I heard my name. So, I turned around and a couple of isles behind me was someone I used to work with at Bethel University. I was available. So, I responded and walked toward him.

How fun to get to see someone I used to work with and get to meet his son. What a delight! I am so glad he called out my name.

God Calls Our Name

After our short conversation, I continued shopping. And I realized that that is exactly what God does to us. He calls out our name in hopes of getting to have a conversation with us. But do we respond? Are we available? Or do we keep walking and ignore the One who calls out to us?

Do we recognize when Jesus calls our name? We should. He tells us, that “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27, ESV

On the way home, I kept thinking about hearing my name called out in Walmart, and I thought about the song we had sung in church. I thought about the words I not only sang, but I also wrote down in my notebook: I hear You call; I am available!”

Am I Available?

This led me to think about before church when my youngest daughter texted me and asked, “What are you guys doing today? Do you want to come over?” After church, I texted her back and said we would go to their house in the afternoon.

As I was doing dishes after lunch, listening to a podcast, I received another text. This time from my oldest daughter. “How does next Monday after work sound?” My response? “Yes, I am available after work.”

Do we make ourselves available when someone is calling us? Are we willing to be available when others need to and want to spend time with us even if it means we may have to reschedule some things? 

I think today, something new happened to me. Three times, I heard God calling out to me through three different people. My response? I am available.

I Hear You Call; I am Available!

Here’s just a snippet of the lyrics to Available by Elevation Music:

For the One who gave me life
Nothing is a sacrifice
Oh, use me how You want to God
Have Your throne within my heart

I hear You call
I am available
I say, “Yes, Lord”
I am available

I encourage you to listen to this powerful song. Sing it, pray it, and mean it when you sing it. When God calls your name, respond. Don’t keep walking away and ignoring Him. Don’t decline Him. Decide to accept His call.

Today, I heard God calling me to be available. I hear You call; I am available, Lord. It’s my joy to say “Yes” to You.

Blessing

May you hear God’s voice calling to you. May you respond and be available to Him. And may you experience joy in saying yes to Him.

P.S. If you missed my last-minute blog post yesterday, check it out: Don’t Give Up Even in the 11^th Hour.