Here Am I, Send Me: The Call to Serve

Summary

On the church's anniversary and its annual members' meeting, the pastor opened in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, comparing the life of faith to a race. In the world's contests only one wins and every runner must outpace the rivals beside him; but in God's race everyone who runs faithfully receives a reward. Our true opponent is not the brother or sister next to us but our own flesh. Like Paul, who disciplined his body so that after preaching to others he would not himself be disqualified, and who taught with tears night and day, we are called to give our whole heart, because God weighs not only what we do but how and why we do it.

Ministry, he reminded the church, is shared labor: Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gives the growth. The fathers who once preached and taught now sit quietly and bless the younger ministers carrying the baton forward. We are not competitors but co-workers in one divine work.

A visiting bishop then read Isaiah 6:8 and Ezekiel 22:30, where God asks "Whom shall I send?" and searches for someone to stand in the gap. Isaiah answered "Here am I, send me," and Christ Himself said yes to the Father knowing the cross that awaited Him. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, because many, like Moses pointing to Aaron, seek their own things. The question is personal: will you go? God has already prepared servants, like the colt tied and waiting for the triumphal entry - they need only be loosed and brought to Him. Do not bury your talent; every member of Christ's body is meant to be healthy, strong, and ready to be sent.

Key Points

• In God's race everyone who runs faithfully wins - we wrestle our own flesh, not one another.
• God measures not only what we do but the heart and motives we pour into it.
• Ministry is shared: one plants, another waters, but God gives the growth, so honor those who labored before you.
• When God asks "Whom shall I send?" the faithful answer is personal: "Here am I, send me."
• God has prepared willing servants still "tied up" by busyness or fear - they only need to be loosed and brought to Him.
• True service costs something; those who stand in the gap give themselves, but heaven holds their reward.
• Do not point to someone else and do not bury your talent - every member of the body is meant to serve.