May 29, 2022

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 can God use me, exactly as I am right now?*

God speaks to me in various ways. Most often, his Spirit speaks to me through the Bible - a magical book that holds messages for me to find just when I need them. Sometimes God uses my preacher or the author of a book to communicate with me. Occasionally, he speaks directly to my mind. Whatever method he uses, I confirm that the message is from God by holding it up to the light of his word.

What if I heard God’s voice with my ears? What if he said, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” Would I go? Would I think, “Oh, he doesn’t mean me”? How would I know he was talking to me?

Well, just because my ears didn’t hear him ask, “Whom shall I send?” doesn’t mean he’s not talking to me. “Go” was Jesus’ final message to all of us. He wasn’t hinting around for a few volunteers. Our response, as his disciples should be, “Here I am. Where do you want me to go?” If we are tuned in to his voice – as his sheep are expected to be – we can know where he wants us to go, whether it is to our family in our own home or to the other side of the planet. As I said, God speaks to us through his word and through his people, so pay attention!

Where the world’s deep hunger meets your deep gladness is where God calls you.*