Circuit Thoughts

One of the most powerful scriptures to me is in the book of Isaiah, chapter 6, verse 8; “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I, send me!”

Isaiah had a vision and in it, God asked who would go and share his word. Isaiah answered and then was sent to the kings to share what God had told him. The response of Isaiah is legendary, Here I am, send me. But if you had that vision, would you be so gung-ho to answer it?

Every day we are given the opportunity to answer God’s question, “Whom shall I send”. Every day we have the chance to answer, “Send me”. But do we? I think the answer is a big Not ME.

If we harbor hate in our hearts, we have said Not Me. If we look the other way when injustice occurs, we say, Not Me. If we refuse to listen to someone with a different point of view, we say Not me. If we refuse shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry, and dignity for the oppressed, we have answered, NOT ME.

You see, preaching is not the only way to go and do God’s work. We have so many things that need to be done to fix this world, and everyone needs to participate. There is too much hurting, and hatred to just sit on the sidelines and hope someone else steps up. It is you and I that need to step up and show the world the love of Christ. No one else can do it.

So where do we start? Oh, that’s easy, it starts with you.

First, answer the call and open your heart.

Then, get to church. Don’t let this Covid be an excuse, get into the sanctuary and worship with the group. Sing praises, pray prayers, listen to the preaching.

Next, make sure everyone is welcome to your church. Yep, even if they don’t look or act like you, welcome them to church. Be a greeter not a gatekeeper. Let them know God’s love through you.

Get to Sunday School and Bible Study. Learn, Learn, LEARN about this wonderful Savior, Loving God and Holy Spirit. Ask questions, read your Bible and get busy.

Commit to helping your church outreach. Get your church involved in the community. Take risks in helping people in everything from tutoring to feeding. Look for the opportunities that God gives.

And then most dangerous of all pray this prayer; “God, use me”. Put it in your heart and on your lips and let the Holy Spirit guide you.

God calls each one of us to minister to a hurting and dying world. In Christ we have the words of Life, and those words are meant to be shared.

As a church, (and I mean all churches) we are called to take care of the flock and seek out the lost. So, join with me in shouting…HERE AM I, SEND ME!

See you in church.