Send Me

Good Morning,

Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

How many of us are assured enough about ourselves...and of the Lord...that we would be so bold as to say, "Sent me!" when God asks us to do this or that for Him. Unfortunately, I think, not enough of us. Many of us have human fears and doubts that keep us from being as useful and obedient to God's callings as we could otherwise be. Isaiah seemed not to have any of those fears or doubts. Or, more likely, he simply put aside everything that might keep him from giving his all to God.

We are told, way too often, that we cannot do this thing or that because we're too young, too old, too...well, fill in the blanks here with whatever you've been told about NOT being able to do something. The unfortunate thing is that we come to believe what we've been told about our abilities and talents not being good enough for some task or other. It starts when we're young and it continues over time, and it never seems to stop happening. Yes, there are those few who simply ignore what people say to them and go ahead to do whatever it is they feel they ought to do. These are the few who we look up to and think that they are "special" in some way...more talented...more able...braver...better. I think, though, that more often than not these people are just ordinary people who have been able to put aside whatever fear or doubt that might have been planted into them and just did what they thought they should.

This kind of attitude is exactly what each of us should have. Especially when it comes to serving in God's Church here on this planet. Every one of us ought to say, "Here am I. Send me!" when we hear God leading us to do some service for Him. This, "Yes, I will," attitude is what gets things done for God's kingdom and for His Church. It is what allows our local congregations to grow and be effective in service as we may have been asked to serve.

Of course it's a marvelous thing when we have those talented and capable people who come to our congregations and let it be known that they are there to help and serve. But it's not always the case, and often it is rarely the case, when we are blessed with just the right person for just the right job at just the right time. So, when our leaders look about to see what needs to be done, they have only those at hand to choose from to ask for assistance and help. That would be you and me. Just normal, everyday people who love the Lord. We are the ones who must put aside our doubts and fears and simply say, "Yes. Here am I. Send me!"

It is when we have this attitude about service that our congregations will prosper as the Lord would have them to prosper. It's up to each of us as individuals to do what it is we are called to do.

Remember, Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This applied to him and it applies to us, as well.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David