And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” –Isaiah 6:8 (English Standard Version)

Jason M. Alexandre, Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

I once had a compelling conversation with a deacon at my church about a year ago about the state of the Christian church today and its Christians. He said, “God is looking for F.A.T. Christians, ones who are faithful, available, and teachable.”  He was expressing his frustration in the increasing lethargic attitude of getting and staying involved in ministries our church cohort was presently experiencing and the unwillingness to evangelize to the outside world. But which characteristic should come first in being a F.A.T. Christian? Let me suggest that a spirit of availability should. For being available for the Lord will then lead to being teachable, which will ultimately lead to being faithful to the Kingdom of God and his purposes because you now know the truth. Have we overtime become complacent and forgotten the great commission given to us by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? The truth is, the gospel was never meant for us to keep for ourselves. Getting saved was just the beginning and we ought not sit down after that doing nothing. The gospel was meant to be shared with others once we received that unearned, undeserving, and all-loving gift.

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” –Mark 16:15-16. One might say who am I? I have no special training, taken no theological courses, I’m no deacon and I’m no pastor! Well friend, while you might not have taken any courses nor are you a Deacon or a Pastor, you do have a powerful testimony of where God has brought YOU from into the gift of salvation. Your testimony is vast and full of godly gems in it’s content. The gospel is a simple message and it starts with YOUR life!

For you were lost, but now you are found. You didn’t believe but now you do. Somebody introduced you to the gospel and somebody out there still needs to hear it. All it starts with is your life story and what Jesus Christ has done for you through his saving work on the cross. Don’t be afraid of what you will say.

You have a helper in the Holy Spirit. For the Bible says, “But when the father sends the advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”–John 14:26. The question is, are you available? Friend, let us embrace the spirit Isaiah the prophet had when the Lord called for someone to speak on his behalf to the people of Israel. A spirit of willing availability. Here I am! Send me. I tell you friend, once you start opening your heart to be used by the Lord, he will give you all the confidence you need to get the task done. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Be blessed.

-Jason M. Alexandre

About Jason M. Alexandre

Jason Melchizedek Alexandre was born on November 29, 1989 in Brooklyn, New York. However, at two years old he and his family moved to Philadelphia, PA. Later, Jason moved to Limerick, PA where he now resides. Jason is currently working toward obtaining his Master of Social Work degree at Widener University. Although Jason’s career is Social Work, his spiritual passion is missions. Jason believes in actively answering the great commission call Jesus gave all Christians for the gospel to be spread from nation to nation. On a yearly basis, Jason primarily goes to Haiti on a mission trip with Haiti Christianity Inc. Each year Haiti Christianity visits different cities and/or villages in Haiti bringing children educational supplies, clothes, and medical supplies. They also facilitate conferences in which bible study, budgeting tips, financial planning and most importantly evangelization takes place. Jason is currently their public relations director. Jason’s vision is for the gospel to continue to be spread throughout the world and believes it is Christian’s responsibility to carry out this mission effectively.