Devotion

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'" - Isaiah 6:8

It's a hymn many of us know by heart:

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

But what does it really mean to follow where God leads, to hold God's people in our hearts? What does it mean to respond to this Call on our lives?

Responding to the Call means reaching out before holding back. Giving before expecting to receive. Listening before speaking our mind. It means risking our own self-image, reputation, security, and comfort to help meet the needs of others. It means loving with the kind of love God shows us every day.

God is calling us into action, to ministry, to service, to a life of grace and peace. How will you respond?

Prayer

Dear God,

You have chosen us and called us by name. You have equipped us and prepared us for such a time as this. Now, we come before you—with open hands, open minds, and open hearts.

Give us the words to say and the strength to say them. Speak through us—use us as your instruments of love and grace and peace in the world. Open our eyes and our hearts to the needs of others. Help us to listen. Lead us where you would have us go.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

© 2016 Ashley Danyew