"I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' Then said I, 'Here am I, send me.'" - Isaiah 6:8
It's not unlike the place where you work. In fact, it's probably a lot like the place that has come to be known as "the job." It's a moderately busy place. Eight full-time employees, four part-timers. Open 6 days a week, 9am-5pm. Nothing flashy, just work. And it's days like today that a lot can be learned spiritually by just standing off in the shadows, observing the actions of those milling around the place.
The telephone rings.
Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Is anyone going to answer the phone? Ring.
Ring. Ring. Ring. Two co-workers are running frantically though the store trying to track down items for customers. They're too busy too answer. Another co-worker sits idly by in the breakroom; he just doesn't want to get up to answer the phone. A couple more co-workers glare at each other, both thinking, "Aren't you going to get that?" Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Still another co-worker sits sullen at a work desk, angry that her raise was not approved, unaware that the phone is even ringing at all. Then, as suddenly as it began, the ringing stops.
"Whom shall I send?" the Lord asks. "Who will go for us?" That is the call today. Sadly, few answer as Isaiah did, "Here am I, send me." No, the reply too often is, "Lord, here am I, but don't send me. Send the preacher, that's what he's paid to do." "Lord, here am I, but don't send me. Send the deacons or the elders or the Sunday school teachers or anybody else, but don't send me." When God calls, I wonder, who will answer the call?
Are we somewhere in the above scenario when it comes to answering the call of the Lord? Are we just too busy, can't seem to find the time to answer? Or, maybe we are "on break," we just don't want to answer. Could it possibly be that we are hoping someone else will answer the call instead of us? Maybe we are so wrapped up in our own cares that we don't even hear the call coming in. When God calls, I wonder, who will answer the call?
Who will accept God's assignment to tell a lost and dying world about Jesus? Romans 10:14 says, "…and shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" A proclaimer is needed - someone to share the message of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Who will answer the call? Oh, dear readers, the good news must be proclaimed! The blood of Jesus Christ cries out for a witness. The nail pierced hands and feet cry out for someone to tell their story. The broken and bruised body of the Saviour cries out for someone, anyone, to spread the news…"Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!" Who will answer the call?
You don't have to be an ordained minister to answer. You don't have to be a Sunday school teacher or a Deacon or an elder. You don't have to possess special talents or skills…it isn't your ability that counts, it's your availability! The Lord is looking for a witness - someone to share the Good News of Jesus Christ at the workplace, in the neighborhood, throughout the community. Who will answer the call?
"I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'" Oh, Christian, can you say it with Isaiah today, can you utter those words that our precious Savior longs to hear, can you take a fresh look at the scene of Golgotha and cry out…"Oh Lord, here am I SEND ME!"
Regardless of who you are, where you are and what is forthcoming in your schedule for today, God has placed a call upon your life to tell others about Him...
Will you answer the call?
Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown