We've all been there. The call for volunteers at church – helping with the potluck, setting up for an event. It often feels natural, even good, to raise our hand and offer our time. But what happens when the call isn't for something simple, something within our comfort zone? What if we sense God's voice nudging us toward a specific action, a difficult conversation, a leap of faith? Suddenly, that eager hand might feel a little heavier.
The five words, "Here I am, send me," can feel like the Mount Everest of our faith journey. They signify not just a belief in God, but a willingness to be used by God, to step outside our carefully constructed comfort zones and embrace His purposes for the world. For me, this was particularly true when the whispers started turning into a persistent, undeniable call to pastoral ministry. My initial reaction? A resounding "No, thank you!"
I had my reasons, of course. Fear of inadequacy, a sense of not being "good enough," the weight of the responsibility, seeing what pastors went through with their congregations, finances – they all loomed large. So, I politely declined, hoping the call would simply fade away. But God, in His persistent and loving way, had other plans.
What's been remarkable is how, even when I wasn't actively seeking leadership, it seemed to find me. In every church I attended, in every new community I joined, I'd somehow find myself stepping into roles I hadn't pursued. Whether it was leading a bible study, organizing an event, or simply being a point of contact and support for others, leadership kept knocking on my door. It was as if God was gently, but firmly, saying, "Remember that call? It's still here."
My experience was like some familiar biblical figures.
Sarah questioned her age
Genesis 18:12 NLT So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”
Jeremiah his youth
Jeremiah 1:6 NLT “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
Moses his inadequacy
Exodus 4:13 NLT But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Peter his sinfulness
Luke 5:8 NLT When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”
Even before Isaiah said "Here I am, send me!" He recognized his own unworthiness in the presence of God.
Isaiah 6:5-8 NLT [5] Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” [6] Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. [7] He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” [8] Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
It seems our initial response to God's call often shines a spotlight on our perceived insufficiencies. We hear the call, and all we can see are the reasons why we aren't the right person. But here's the beautiful truth: God doesn't condemn our hesitation. He doesn't berate us for our doubts. Instead, the call often persists, sometimes manifesting in unexpected ways, nudging us closer to His purpose. Our initial response isn't a sign of weakness, but of wisdom. Racing headlong into God's work without truly counting the cost isn't the answer. It requires more than just a fleeting impulse.
Luke 14:28-30 NLT [28] “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? [29] Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. [30] They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
For me, the persistent nudges, the unexpected opportunities to lead even when I wasn't seeking them, became a testament to the unwavering nature of God's call. It wasn't until I finally surrendered, after years of gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) prodding, and finally said those five words – "Here I am, send me" – that I truly began to understand the depth and beauty of what God had been inviting me into all along. It wasn't about my qualifications or my comfort; it was about His faithfulness and His purpose. And in finally saying yes, I've discovered a richness that I never expected.
The five words, "Here I am, send me," can feel like the Mount Everest of our faith journey. They signify not just a belief in God, but a willingness to be used by God, to step outside our carefully constructed comfort zones and embrace His purposes for the world. For me, this was particularly true when the whispers started turning into a persistent, undeniable call to pastoral ministry. My initial reaction? A resounding "No, thank you!"
I had my reasons, of course. Fear of inadequacy, a sense of not being "good enough," the weight of the responsibility, seeing what pastors went through with their congregations, finances – they all loomed large. So, I politely declined, hoping the call would simply fade away. But God, in His persistent and loving way, had other plans.
What's been remarkable is how, even when I wasn't actively seeking leadership, it seemed to find me. In every church I attended, in every new community I joined, I'd somehow find myself stepping into roles I hadn't pursued. Whether it was leading a bible study, organizing an event, or simply being a point of contact and support for others, leadership kept knocking on my door. It was as if God was gently, but firmly, saying, "Remember that call? It's still here."
My experience was like some familiar biblical figures.
Sarah questioned her age
Genesis 18:12 NLT So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”
Jeremiah his youth
Jeremiah 1:6 NLT “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
Moses his inadequacy
Exodus 4:13 NLT But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Peter his sinfulness
Luke 5:8 NLT When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”
Even before Isaiah said "Here I am, send me!" He recognized his own unworthiness in the presence of God.
Isaiah 6:5-8 NLT [5] Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” [6] Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. [7] He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” [8] Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
It seems our initial response to God's call often shines a spotlight on our perceived insufficiencies. We hear the call, and all we can see are the reasons why we aren't the right person. But here's the beautiful truth: God doesn't condemn our hesitation. He doesn't berate us for our doubts. Instead, the call often persists, sometimes manifesting in unexpected ways, nudging us closer to His purpose. Our initial response isn't a sign of weakness, but of wisdom. Racing headlong into God's work without truly counting the cost isn't the answer. It requires more than just a fleeting impulse.
Luke 14:28-30 NLT [28] “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? [29] Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. [30] They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
For me, the persistent nudges, the unexpected opportunities to lead even when I wasn't seeking them, became a testament to the unwavering nature of God's call. It wasn't until I finally surrendered, after years of gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) prodding, and finally said those five words – "Here I am, send me" – that I truly began to understand the depth and beauty of what God had been inviting me into all along. It wasn't about my qualifications or my comfort; it was about His faithfulness and His purpose. And in finally saying yes, I've discovered a richness that I never expected.
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