Send Me

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

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

Have you ever been in a situation where someone asked you, indirectly and you know that you were being asked, to so something and you were both terrified enough to say, "Is there anyone else in the room?" AND to say, "YES!" complete with fist pump? All of us have. We have been placed into situations where we both want to run and hide from the responsibility and run headlong into the challenge and take it on.

Isaiah finds himself in this very situation. God and His presence fills the Holy Place of the Temple from the Holy of Holies. Isaiah sees God in all of His glory. Isaiah is petrified. He believes that he will die because Isaiah saw the face of God. Instead of death, Isaiah receives life and forgiveness. And it is after Isaiah receives forgiveness for his sins, when God asks the question.

"Is there anyone here who will go for us?" God asks, knowing that Isaiah is right there. Isaiah, through his growing fear, wonder, and confusion, boldly and faithfully confesses, "I will. Send me." 

We all have doubts, worries, concerns, and outright fear when it comes to serving God. Doubts like, "Do I have the skills? Will I do the right thing? I'm not very qualified." Concerns like, "What if I mess up? What if I get tongue tied?" All of these doubts and concerns come from fear. And fear can, and does sometimes, paralyze us. 

However, there is faith. Martin Luther as he explains the meaning of the First Commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me." says, "We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things." In other words, believe in God with everything that you have. Fear is a partial motivator. The fear of disappointing God. And the same time love is a far greater motivator. Jesus calls us to "love the Lord your God with all your mind, all, self, and will. And love your neighbor as yourself." Trust Him to provide all that you need to do what He is asking you to do.  God has never let you down. He isn't right now. And God will NEVER let you down going forward. 

"Lean on me, when you're not strong. And I'll be your friend. I help you carry on." are great words from Bill Withers. Let's use them. God is saying them to us. Here I am God, send me.