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"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