Send me

A Note From the Pastor…

 One of my favorite verses in all of the Bible is found in 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 I am! Send me.” In this vision given to Isaiah, Matthew Henry describes the passage preceding this verse as, “the temple is thrown open to view, even to the most holy place. The prophet, standing outside the temple, sees the Divine Presence seated on the mercy-seat, raised over the ark of the covenant, between the cherubim and seraphim, and the Divine glory filled the whole temple. See God upon his throne.” This vision is explained in the book of John (John 12:41), “that Isaiah now saw Christ’s glory, and spake of Him, which is a full proof that our Savior is God. In Christ Jesus, God is seated on a throne of grace; and through him the way into the holiest is laid open,” (Henry). What a glorious sight!

 Yet, I want to draw your attention back to Isaiah’s words in verse 8 as the Lord is seeking a messenger. “Here I am! Send me.” We live in a world where people often try to avoid responsibility, sacrifice, or service. Many today fear stepping out in faith and fear sanctifying themselves to do every part of God’s Will! We are often bound by feelings of inadequacy, uncertainty, and an unsureness of the clarity of God’s Call, (in other words, we are unsure of our strength, unsure of the sacrifice, and are unsure if we have even heard God’s “voice”). Yet, Isaiah’s willingness and boldness should serve as an example and calling to each of us – when God calls us to serve our neighbor, to stand on biblical principles, or to go forward “and make disciples” – it is not for always for someone else, but for us! Paul reminds us, “Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful,” (I Corinthians 4:2) and Peter writes, “As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another,” (I Peter 4:10). May we each faithfully allow God to use us. Here I am! Send me, Lord!

        Pastor Chris