The creator of the universe has carefully crafted you. There is no one else like you. He gave you your personality, special gifts, and talents for a unique purpose in your life. Wouldn’t it be great if you received a phone call or text with the exact calling He has chosen for you? Unfortunately, that’s not how He works. But He will “call”- He calls everyone into service for Him. Will your response be, “Here I am Lord, send me!”?
Let’s get some inspiration from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, who responded positively to God’s calling. Chapter 6 in the book of Isaiah tells us of Isaiah’s commission.
“In the year that King Uzziah of Judah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ At the sound of their voices the doorpost and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.”
Isaiah 6:1-4.
God gave Isaiah an up-close vision of His heavenly realm. Isaiah’s mission would be difficult; he needed to know the holiness of God; His majesty, and power. Seeing God on His throne and hearing the praise of the angels causes Isaiah to realize how unclean he was.
Here is Isaiah’s response:
“‘Woe to me! I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.’ Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it, he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.'”
Isaiah 6:5-7.
God forgave Isaiah’s sins and used the live coal on Isaiah’s lips to symbolize the cleansing. As you can imagine, this encounter with God affected Isaiah deeply. He realizes his own inadequacy, his sinful nature, and his lack of power without God.
Isaiah transformed from feeling unworthy, to being forgiven and ready to serve the Lord is any way he could.
Isaiah 6:8
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here I am! Send me!’”
Isn’t it interesting that God asks this question of Isaiah? God knew Isaiah’s heart. He desires willing people that trust in Him to do His work.
God desires and asks for willing volunteers to help Him. He won’t force us.
Isaiah didn’t hesitate when he heard the Lord’s voice; he wanted to answer God’s call. God’s people were struggling, and he wanted to be part of the solution. He was telling God he was available for whatever He needed and trusted Him completely.
He enthusiastically committed to be sent by God, even though he didn’t yet know the mission. God sent Isaiah to preach a tough message of judgement that would fall upon deaf ears.
God said, “Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Isaiah 6:10. ESV.
The time had passed for the people of Israel. God saw they would not change their ways and their stubborn hearts would never repent.
Isaiah kept his focus on being obedient to God; giving Him the glory even without fully understanding His ways.
Send Me Lord!
The world remains full of people who need to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. God’s plan to accomplish it includes each one of us.
Our Lord Jesus gave us the Great Commission just before ascending back to His heavenly throne.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20.
He needs people willing to “go.”
“Send me,” in Hebrew can mean “to stretch”, “set free”, or “to shoot forth branches.”
He wants believers today to trust Him and surrender to His will enough to say, “stretch my faith, O God, to move into places that may be out of my comfort zone. Set me free from my hesitancy and fear of following where you lead. Help me shoot forth branches into places that need the fruit of your Word and love.”
How can we know what His plans are for us? What is God calling us to do?
#1- Understand the Will of God– We gain spiritual direction when we read and study the Word of God. The Holy Spirit will work in our hearts and minds if we commit to reading and studying His Word.
#2- Live a life worthy of the Lord by pleasing Him with our thoughts and actions and becoming strong in our faith through His power! His knowledge gives our lives direction and is our compass for right living. This leads to:
#3- Bearing good fruit– Having great endurance, patience, the joy of Christ Jesus in us, and an attitude of gratitude for all He has done and will do in our lives.
God wants us to be persistent in all the above. Seeking His guidance leads to spiritual growth and a stronger relationship with Him. That gives us the ability to recognize His leading and call.
Jesus distills everything down into two actionable steps:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37,39.
This love produces the fruit He is looking for. Loving others involves keeping our eyes open to see needs that are right in front of us. It is listening for His promptings to “go” where He sends.
Answering God’s Call
Jesus wants us to think like He does and act as He would. So-
Does a lonely or sad person need someone to come alongside them? Comfort them.
Do the hungry need food? Provide it.
Does an elderly friend or neighbor need physical help or companionship? Call, visit, or assist them.
Loving others also means using the unique gifts and talents He gave us to carry out the Great Commission.
Romans 12:6-8 tells us He gave us each unique gifts, such as prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy.
No matter what our spiritual gift, we are to use it generously, diligently, and cheerfully.
I Am Here Lord, Send Me!
Are you ready to reflect God to others as He calls you to your purpose?
Will He see Himself in you?
Will you pray to be sent, stretched, set free to go where He leads, and produce fruit for Him?
God still asks today, “Who shall I send? Who will go for us?” He’s always looking for those who will surrender themselves to Him fully, trusting Him in faith to lead them in His purpose.
He gives us the opportunity to choose our answer. We can say no, but we will miss out on seeing His power in action and exponential spiritual growth.
Don’t put limitations on His plan for you. He uses the broken and the weak as well as the strong and confident. Even if He calls you to something that isn’t your passion or talent (or a place you do not want to go!), He WILL equip you with everything you need to carry out His plans.
He wants to use YOU.
Can you, right now, say, “I’m here Lord! Use me! Send me!”? Can you begin your days with that prayer?
He needs our help, and it’s time for us to put our faith in action for His glory and honor.
Blessings!
AnnMarie
All Scripture is taken from the NIV unless specified otherwise.
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