AVAILABILITY (vs. Self-centeredness) – Learning to make my schedules and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve.
– Learning to not be distracted from fulfilling my responsibilities. Rejecting ambitions that would hinder me from delighting in God-given priorities. Standing by a task until it is fully completed. (The verses for this character quality are Matthew 16:24 - 25)

When Christ called his disciples he used a Greek word that meant “to accompany”. He then taught them to not be hindered by personal cares and distractions. To deny and pick up their cross and follow. The Greek word for deny simply means to “forget oneself, lose sight of one’s own interests.”

Availability is basic to discipleship. Jesus called his disciples to a life of AVAILABILITY.

Available for training and serving. Availability that was and is motivated by being a “giver” rather than a “taker”.

Availability is giving our hearts not just our hands to a task. We are motivated to be available if we recognize how our tasks are accomplishing a greater objective. The Joy of making other’s successful. The Joy of giving that which benefits the lives of others.
Jesus was and is the ultimate example of availability. He lived among people who had needs and served them. He laid down his life so we might have life.

How can we develop Availability?
1. By not seeking our own pleasures and wants, our own amusements.
2. By not seeking great achievements that bring ourselves glory. Not being distracted from achieving the goals to serve and meet the needs of those around us.
3. By developing efficiency in meeting our personal needs not wants, so we have the time and energy and resources to meet the needs of others.
4. Discovering the needs of those around us and being alert to those.

Personal Evaluation:
- Do you choose to serve God or money?
- Do you purpose to be a giver and not a taker?
- Do you work to make others successful?
- Do you deny yourself from distracting pleasures?
- Do you set aside personal ambitions in order to advance God’s purpose and Kingdom?