Articles
Here Am I, Send Me
One of the great deficits within most congregations is a certain lack of willingness to volunteer. Christ faced this same deficit when He walked on the Earth: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37). In response to this lack of workers, Christ urged the Apostles to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest” (Matt. 9:38). Perhaps this has not yet been overcome, even in our own congregation. In order to address this, I would like to compare and contrast the initial attitudes of a few laborers that God did send into the harvest. I pray that we would learn from their lack of initial willingness or initial unwillingness, measure ourselves by their example, and make the necessary adjustments in our lives so that we can be laborers for God.
Two Examples of Ardor
Two superb examples of devotion to the Father’s service are Isaiah and Ezekiel. These men were called during times of crisis and were given unrivaled challenges. Their zeal to enter into the Lord’s service is unmatched, for excuses were the last thought on their minds when the Lord called them to the work.
Isaiah’s call to minister during both the Assyrian and (the prelude to) the Babylonian crisis is recorded in Isaiah 6. Isaiah is perhaps the most memorable example of passionate willingness to participate in God’s cause. All Christians know his story. He sees a vision during the reign of Uzziah and his reaction is utter humility before the overwhelming omnipotence of God in the vision (vv. 1-5). God’s call rings out in the Earth as He asks: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Isaiah is the first one to step up proclaiming: “Here am I, send me!” What faith! Isaiah had all the reason in the world to be afraid, but he had confidence in God and knew that God would provide him with whatever he needed to complete the task.
Ezekiel’s appointment to service during the Babylonian crisis is recorded in Ezekiel 2-3. God calls Ezekiel and he is filled with the Spirit (2:1f). God tells Ezekiel that he is being sent to a stubborn and rebellious people who will not heed his message (2:4-7; 3:1-11). God would make Ezekiel’s forehead harder than the house of Israel’s and would provide him with all the tools he needed to accomplish his task. The task would not be easy. His friends and family would hate him, his wife would die and he would be commanded not to mourn her loss. Still, the message went unheeded. Yet, Ezekiel worked through it trusting and obeying the Lord.
Two Examples of Reluctance
Moses’ call to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage is recorded in Exodus 3-4. Moses’ response to the Lord seems to be similar to Isaiah’s call – Moses says “Here I am” just like Isaiah did. On closer examination, the two accounts couldn’t be more different! God has to directly call out to Moses (verse 4) who merely exhibits curiosity in examining why the bush was not consumed rather than acknowledging God’s presence at the forefront (verse 3). God makes His will known in vv. 7-10 by electing Moses as His instrument in delivering Israel from Pharaoh’s heavy hand. Moses’ reaction is immediate excuse-making. He first suggests that he is not worthy of such a task (v. 11). When God reassures Moses, Moses attempts to excuse himself by suggesting that Israel would doubt his God-given appointment (3:13; 4:1). God refuses to accept this as a legitimate reason for denial and provides Moses with miraculous power to convince Israel (3:14-22; 4:2-9). Moses continues with his foolishness and attempts one more excuse – that his ability to speak is underdeveloped (v. 10). Funny enough, a 1,500 years later, Stephen speaks words of praise regarding Moses’ education and abilities saying, “Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds” (Acts 7:22). God’s anger burned against Moses because of these excuses and does not accept any one of them. What makes Christians today think these same lines of reasoning excuse them from service to God?
Jeremiah’s call to minister to God’s people during the Babylonian crisis is recorded in Jeremiah 1. God calls Jeremiah to prophesy to the nations (1:4f). Jeremiah’s immediate response? “Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.” Did God accept this excuse? Absolutely not! The Lord commanded Jeremiah to gird up his loins, to not be afraid, and “to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” When God calls us to labor, there are no acceptable excuses!
Here Am I…Send Somebody Else!
What is your attitude toward the Lord’s service? Are you like Moses and Jeremiah when called to the work? Or are you like Isaiah and Ezekiel? Our willingness to serve in the Master’s vineyard represents our true devotion to Him. One writer anonymously stated, “Don't ever question the value of volunteers. Noah's Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals.” The point should be observed. God loves volunteers; He desires that we all say with Isaiah, “Here am I, send me!” God does not respect the “Here am I, send somebody else” mentality toward service. Take the opportunity to identify where you might be able to volunteer. Classes need teachers, courses need mailing, articles of edification need writing, the building needs cleaning, people need rides to services. Look for an opportunity and you will find one! Look for an excuse and you will also find one!
