Send Me!

In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. "Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king."

"I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you."

"Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you." When King Henry died, a statement was written: "The King learned to rule by being obedient." When we tire of our roles and responsibilities, it helps to remember God has planted us in a certain place and told us to be a good accountant or teacher or mother or father. Christ expects us to be faithful where he puts us, and when he returns, we'll rule together with him.

Are you, or have you felt the calling from God? Are you prepared if you should get the call? If you are like most of us, the thought has probably never occurred to you. Therefore, I have listed some reasonable items below for your consideration in order to help you make a good and sound decision. They are:

What we are called from and called to:

I. Called from labor to rest (Matthew 11:28)
II. Called from death to life (1 John 3:14)
III. Called from bondage to liberty (Galatians 5:13)
IV. Called out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9)
V. Called from bondage to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15
VI. Called to the fellowship of His Son (1 Corinthians 1:9)

What we are made by obeying the call:

I. We are made sons of God (John 1:12)
II. We are made the children of God (Galatians 3:26)
III. We are made the servants of God (Matthew 25:21)
IV. We are made God's saints (Colossians 1:1)
V. We are made God's witnesses (I Thessalonians 2:10)
VI. We are made workers together with God (2 Corinthians 6:1)
VII. We are called to a high calling (Philippians 3:14)
VIII. We are called to a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9)
IX. We are called to a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1)

Throughout Bible history God has chosen individuals to do His work and to perform His tasks. When He does this He doesn’t ask for resumes. He doesn’t ask how prepared you think you are. He doesn’t care about perceived obstacles. He just says to get it done. If God has called you (and he has) what provision, or the supplying of means, has God given to make up for all of our perceived deficiencies?

Perhaps it is help from other church members. For Moses it was someone to help him speak (Exodus 4:14). Like Moses, we all need help from time to time. On big tasks it takes a little more help. Such was the case when Paul paired up with others to gather disciples while going throughout the world (as The Great Commission instructs us to do).

To assist us in our endeavors you should ask help from God, He will be with you (Matthew 28:20; Joshua 1:5; 2 Timothy 4:17; 2 Kings 6:17). Also keep in mind when asking for help from God, that God answers your prayers (Matthew 21:22; Matthew 7:7-11).

So, if you are asking yourself who will go? Say, "Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8) Yes, you might be thinking: "I don’t feel qualified, surely others are more so," "I might fail," or "I might mess up." However, nothing could be further from the truth! Because of God’s mighty provision you can confidently say, “Send me!”

Prayer:

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever.
-St. Richard Chichester (1197-1253)

God bless you,

Sherry Ann