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When the Best Ability is Availability 

A couple weeks after the NBA Finals and NBA Draft, the NBA free agent frenzy begins. As contracts expire across the league, there are always intriguing rumors and anticipation about which teams will recruit and sign which free agents. 

When the league increases the salary cap in the offseason, teams have more money to spend. Available players take advantage of the timing and end up signing hefty contracts. During the summer of 2016, players free to sign anywhere reaped the benefit of a major salary spike. The free agents not only had value because of their ability but because of their availability. 

An athlete’s asset of availability can be equated to our own lives. There is real value in being available to invest our time in what matters most. If we never free ourselves from work or distractions, we miss out on being there for others. If we say our relationships are important, then we should be available. The excuse “I’m not available right now” can get old to family and friends if repeated over and over again.

When we follow Jesus, we also need to make ourselves available to Him. Are we daily praying and reading His Word…obeying what He asks us to do…serving others when He calls…and making our money accessible to build His kingdom? We’ll reap the benefits when we live as "free agents" with our availability committed to Him. 

The Bible says in Galatians 5:13 (NLT), “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers, and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
 
As followers of Jesus, let's choose to live in freedom and make our availability our best ability to serve God and others. Let’s allow Him to lead us as we become available to be used by Him. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for not always living in freedom. Help me not to be bogged down by busyness and distractions. Teach me to be more available so that I can be used by You to serve others. Convict me to say yes to the important relationships in my life, and to make sure I'm always available to spend time with You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

 *For more devotionals about sports and faith visit unpackinit.com.