Send Me!

“Also, 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.’” (Isaiah 6:8)

I’ve never been athletic. Actually, that’s an understatement. In kickball, I was more likely to miss the ball than kick it, and quite likely to fall down in the effort.

I hated sports in general. I especially hated PE. And I really, really hated the times when two athletic kids were named team captains and took turns picking the members of their teams. I stood there really cool, like, “I don’t even care,” while also trying to look coordinated, speedy, and strong. But inside, I was pleading, “Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!”

We can all identify with not being chosen. Maybe it was that job we really wanted, but they hired someone else. Or the time everyone was invited to a party except us. It hurts when someone else is chosen and we are rejected.

But here is something awesome: God has already chosen us. Ephesians 1:4 says, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” God chose us. Before he created the earth, he chose us. Because of Christ, God doesn’t see our faults. He sees our righteousness. He knows our potential. We don’t have to try out. We don’t have to earn our position. We’re already on the team.

In Isaiah, chapter six, the prophet tells of seeing a vision of the Lord. Isaiah was humbled by God’s holiness, and he heard God asking, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”

God was looking for someone to use, and he was calling Isaiah, and Isaiah responded to the call. He made himself available: “Here I am. Send me.”

We’re chosen. We’re called. God wants to use us. Have we responded to the call? Are we willing to do what God wants us to do?

It’s God’s job to send us. It’s our job to be available. Whatever God wants us to do, it starts with us saying, “Here I am. Send me.”

God doesn’t just choose those of us who are extraordinarily gifted. Or super smart. (He doesn’t even care how athletic we are…or aren’t.) He chooses each of us, with all our faults, flaws, and messed-up lives. He takes joy in bringing out our uniqueness and using it for his glory. All we have to do is to be available and willing—every day—to be used however God sees fit.

Dear God, thank you for choosing me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your work on earth. Lord, I’m available. Use me for your glory. Help me follow where you lead, even if it seems awkward or uncomfortable. I’m willing to be stretched in your service. Here I am, Lord. Send me. In Jesus’s name, amen.