Being Available to Christ
By Susie Rowan – Outgoing BSF Executive Director
When I was a young believer, a man handed me a small card at a church potluck (when we still had those). All it said was, “Ask simply to be used.”
The man was a mattress salesman. There was nothing special about his appearance or his pedigree. Yet his impact for the glory of God is still rippling years after his death. His funeral was attended by nearly a thousand people, and notable Christian leaders told stories about his love for God and influence on others. I carried that card with me in my wallet for years, and even after it was lost, the Spirit continued to bring that phrase to mind: “Ask simply to be used.”
Today, God is using that little card and its simple words once again. It translates to me as “Be available.” I pray, “Lord, I am available for your service today. How would you like to use me?” As I listen for God’s voice and watch how He orchestrates my day, He reminds me of the availability of Jesus.
Christ is Available to Us
In this year’s Matthew study, we will behold the unexpected availability of Jesus.
God sent His one and only Son to us. Jesus willingly left heaven to come for us. A virgin conceived and gave birth to a Son, whom we call Immanuel, “God with us.” The Almighty God of heaven and earth put on flesh to become available to us, to offer eternal salvation and a reconciled relationship with Him.
And throughout Matthew’s Gospel, we will see Jesus’ availability to the needs of those who humbly sought Him. Jesus was available when the crowds needed food (Matthew 14:13-21). He was available when the people needed healing (Matthew 4:23-25). Most importantly, He sacrificed all to make forgiveness and redemption available to us. And now Jesus’ availability continues forever. For He did not leave us as orphans when He ascended into Heaven but rather increased His availability by sending His Spirit to dwell in His believers and walk with us through life. Just as He promised the disciples and us, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
In response, Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, and many others left behind their fishing nets, boats and former lives to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22) and live every day available to be His hands and feet in the world.
Are We Available to Christ?
This is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Those who know and follow Christ make themselves available to Him. Isaiah recognized the risen Christ on the throne and said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 and John 12:41). Ananias, in a vision, was told by Jesus to lay down his plans to restore a man named Saul, also called Paul, for ministry to the Gentiles (Acts 9:10-19). In both instances, Isaiah and Ananias made themselves available to Jesus for an unexpected and risky assignment.
Many of you have very full plates. You are swamped with responsibilities – demanding work hours, caring for aging parents, raising a houseful of children, providing for loved ones, and more. Daily, you sacrificially become available to your family, employer, ministry, and so much more. Yet there are still times when we will be called to adjust our plans to the unexpected needs of friends, co-workers, or unforeseen assignments from the Lord. Often this means putting aside our own convenience to get involved. Sometimes this means taking a risk.
There are other seasons of life when heavy loads of responsibility are lifted. A new city, a lost job, a child getting married, a big hole in your schedule.
Here I Am, Lord
Last month I enjoyed lunch with a friend and former BSF Teaching Leader. We talked about her adjustment to a life with little responsibility after a move. She left behind her former home and teaching role within a BSF class. And the Lord made it clear she was not to jump into anything new. It was a season of quiet and waiting. It was a lonely season. Yet it became a refreshing season that led to a new assignment from the Lord.
Today, I find myself in a new season, transitioning from a place of weighty responsibility to a stage of real availability. As I now retire from BSF, there is a big hole in my daily life. My temptation is to rush to fill it. But the Lord has spoken these words to me, “Be available.” “Ask simply to be used.” And good friends have counseled me, “Don’t take on too much too soon.” Rather than filling the hole in my schedule, I sense the Lord wants me to be available to see what He is about to do with each new week ahead.
Is there a family need?
Does a friend need help?
Is someone sick who needs food?
Is there a new assignment? Will it involve risk, a change of plans, a new direction?
For now, being available to God is enough. Jesus is with me. He has redeemed me. He has filled me with His Spirit. So, I will continue to serve Him with spiritual fervor and zeal to make disciples of all nations. Whatever it looks like, I will be available to my Savior. For a short time, I expect to serve Him in quiet, with a focus on family. I will serve Christ’s Church as a seminary board member and in my local church. And in time, I hope to explore some teaching, writing, and mentoring as the Lord gives opportunity.
But – bottom line – whether our schedules are full, open, or anywhere in between, being available to God is our worshipful response to His constant availability to us.
If we ask “Lord, how do you want to use me today?” we might find our Kingdom impact to be like an ordinary mattress salesman who asked, “simply to be used.”
Susie Rowan
BSF Executive Director
Under Susie’s leadership as executive director, BSF membership has grown to serve more than 385,000 adults and 66,000 children worldwide, and the ministry has introduced BSF Online and WordGo Bible study platforms, and four new studies – Isaiah, Revelation, and People of the Promised Land I and II (Part II coming in 2022). Susie and her husband, Roger, have been married for 45 years and have two children, Jerry and Sally, and four grandchildren.
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Susie, thank you for being available to Christ for all these years. Your care for me, as a TL and then AP, encouraged me more than you’ll ever know.
With much love to you and gratitude to our Heavenly Father for you.
Dear Susie, I want to thank you for your service,dedication,commitment and love fpr Jesus and for all of us. You have been a godly example of what it looks like to walk with Christ. I thank you so much for all you have done to further the Kingdom. You will be missed. May God bless you abundantly with His riches gifts in Christ Jesus.
I met you one summer when I stayed at headquarters to volunteer for the weekend. It was a wonderful experience to work in paper distribution and food prep. Just to be on the property felt like God’s land. It was quiet, serene and reflective. You came in the cafeteria and someone told you I was there to volunteer and you thanked me. It was a brief moment but a kind one. That whole weekend had God all over it regarding my reason for being in San Antonio. Thank you for your dedication and love for BSF. One day we will all see and know one another in Glory.
You are an amazing lady giving of yourself to serve the Lord for that length of time. May He mightly bless you.
Thank you for being a resilient leader.
Thank you very much Susie. It was sure a Blessing to have you as our BSF Executive Director for all these years. You left me at a higher level in my understanding of the Bible. May God continue using you as it is stated in Matthew 5:16
Praise God for Susie Rowan for her passion of Christ that sow in each one of us in different nations that God called her. I thanked the Lord for His work miraculously done in her so that she can become a channel of blessings to us, keep on maturing God’s people through His Word. Bring us into deeper relationship and revelation of God. I am so amazed how God loved us through His plan and purpose in each one of our lives. My respond is to love Him, serve Him and know Him better and bring as many as possible to the salvation knowledge of Jesus Christ in times to come. To God be the glory forever
Susie Rowan,
Thank you for being available and used by God during your time as Executive Director of BSF. I have enjoyed watching you be a true leader, confident, encouraging and specific with your direction for all of us. It is easy to see that God has guided your steps along the way in so many wonderful directions. Thank you and may God continue to use you in a mighty way for His Kingdom. May He bless you abundantly throughout your retirement years ahead!
With my sincere appreciation,
Kathryn
BSF Group Leader
Hello Susie, Thank you for your leadership for BSF for the past 12 years. I want to say that BSF has helped me to stay in the Word and has been a source of encouragement for me through the study of the Word and fellowship with my fellow brothers in Christ. Thank you for all you do. I really appreciate it. May God guide you and lead you to your next assignment as you wait on the Lord. Be blessed, Steve Kang
Thank you Susie ..BSF is the best bible study which helps me with a closer walk with GOD and as I started it when I was sixty years old ( round 11 years ago) it somewhat verifies GOD as my EMMANUEL and points out to me GOD has shaped and disciplined me through trials and crisis to remind me that I have to remain humble in prayers,dependence on HIm like a child , to obey His commands by the POWER OF HIS SPIRIT to live a life that s pleasing to HIM , with HOPE in HIS promise .If we have lived a life that fears GOD ..we will live the rest of our life with NO FEAR but with peace and joy as we learn to live with serenity and rest in HIS holy presence ..knowing HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT and all goodness comes from HIM…Wish you the best
Can I have a link to your blog ..may GOD continue to use you as HIS precious vessel and be a blessing to many more to come
I praise God the Father for all His accomplishments made through this willing, humble servant. She constantly kept her knees bowed in prayer, ever listening to that “still small voice” who whispered where to go and what to do, with orders great and small. Jesus was magnified even more in the hearts of those who joined each new study brought into the BSF teaching world.
But introducing “the new” did not mean throwing out the old, for this faithful woman remained ever close to God’s Word by the illumination the Holy Spirit.
There is no better way to study God’s Word than through BSF. I know all the glory goes to God, however do we all agree we would love to witness when the Lord turns to her on Judgment Day and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Serving Him Together,
Linda
Thank you Susie for the beautiful way you have touched the lives of so many.May God nless you in abundance.
Sarah, India.
To God be the glory. Thank you Susie for teaching us praying for us and guiding us through the years. May God continue blessing you and guiding you and protecting you and your family.
“But – bottom line – whether our schedules are full, open, or anywhere in between, being available to God is our worshipful response to His constant availability to us.”
Susie, this line from your blog touches my heart in real ways. This shifts the idea of availability to God as a worshipful response to what He is constantly doing for us – being available – rather than one of obligation! I’ve been meaning to read your blog since I received the email about it in August but I truly believe that I was to read this today and no sooner. God has been developing a sense of responsibility and responding to the very faith that I have and giving back to the Church body in ways that the Church body has been giving to me for years. He has been shifting my perspective outward more and more. I praise God for the service that you’ve put in to BSF over these past years and am grateful for the direction, wisdom and guidance that God gave you during this time to lead. No doubt, God’s work through you has touched so many lives! While I am sad to see you leave, I know that God has great plans for you and that your impact for the Kingdom through Christ will be great. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors… To God be the glory!
Thank you ever so much Susie. God bless you abundantly. Christ’s 💘
Praising God for your time on this BSF and I pray God will continue to use you where ever you are what ever you show through your life. Thank you