In the Bible chapter 6 of Isaiah, the Lord asks, “who shall I send?” Isaiah responds, “Here I am, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) I am in awe sometimes of that simple statement. “Here I am, send me.” I’m not sure I could say that with all my heart.
Often, I would say here I am send me…with the caveat of when its comfortable and convenient for me to go. I have lots of excuses to not put myself out of my comfort zone. I need to be around for my husband, I’m not feeling all that well today, I think that maybe I question if that is really what You, Lord, want me to do.
I could continue on and on with excuses. But Isaiah just said, “here I am, send me”. Sometimes I think…if You, Lord, visited me directly, surely, I would respond as Isaiah did. (Hmmm, could I be blaming You, Lord, for my inaction instead of owning my lack within.)
I sit here while typing on my computer saying to You, God, I am willing. Just hit me with it. I’ll follow through…but tomorrow in the light of day, will I feel the same. Or will I get busy with laundry, cleaning, gardening or a game on my tablet and not give it another thought.
I guess I’m writing a confession to You, Lord. Forgive me for allowing myself to be distracted or numbing my mind with TV or games. Forgive me for allowing myself to appear as such a “good Christian” when I am truly just a sinner…no different, maybe worse than others.
At least with many others they wear their sins as a proud badge to be seen by all. But me, Lord, my sins sink deeper and deeper as I grow in my relationship with You. Because as I work to be more like You, what was once an innocent sin now becomes big…because I know better. I see You and the purity of who You are which makes my impure self become a pitiful sinner.
(John 3:16) Lord, being so pitiful, the only way I can come before You is through Your Son Jesus. He has borne all my sins…past, present and future…creating a way that I may come before You. (Psalm 51:12) Lord, restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Because of Jesus, I can come confidently before Your throne. (Hebrews 4:16). I truly don’t deserve such a privilege. And I do not deserve the privilege of representing You to others…of being an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Lord, I am willing…teach me to be fully given over to You. Not just given wholly to You but to be given with a joyful heart in all I do. (Colossians 3:23)
Amen & amen
“Then I heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?” And I said, “Here I am. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16-17
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:20a
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23