THERE I AM! It takes three simple words – “Here I am” – to convey the message that I am available, open, and ready to hear what YOU have to say to me, as well as what YOU have to say about my presence.
Even in 2021, we don’t know where these words will take us or what the consequences will be.
When we hear God’s voice, what do we do?
My response to God is “Here I am.”
First of all, I’m going to have to make a sacrifice that I never thought I’d have to make. I realise this may not be the best way to begin a message, but this is a blessing! Revisit Abraham – God put Abraham through his paces in due time. “Abraham!” he called out to him. “I’m here,” he said. Before Isaac could be taken from his mother, God told him that he had to go to the land of Moriah. On one of the mountains I’ll tell you about, sacrifice him there as a burnt offering.” In Genesis 22:1 and 2,
When we are tested by God, it is not for a grade, but rather to help us grow and improve ourselves.
Matthew 10:39 – Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it, says the Lord. This is the crux of the cross’s teachings. To get something so much better, I have to give something up. In ways we can’t begin to comprehend, GOD returns the favour in ways we can’t even begin to comprehend.
All of these people had to give up their ambitions: Jacob, Joseph, Joseph, Moses, Moses, David, Matthew, Peter, and Paul. It was a mutual exchange: They all gave something, and God gave something back in return.
Couldn’t we just skip the part about making a sacrifice? We relinquish control to God, and God does something as a result.
I implore you brothers in light of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as holy and pleasing sacrifices to God, which is your spiritual worship, according to Romans 12:1.
“Here I am” means I’m confronting a fear I never thought I’d have to face. 2.
JACOB – His name means’schemer,’ but God gives him a new name, Israel, because he wrestled with God.
In a nighttime vision, God called out to Israel, “Jacob! Jacob!” “I’m here,” he said. As he introduced himself, he revealed himself as “God,” the God of his paternal grandfather. I will turn you into a great nation in Egypt, so don’t be afraid to go down there. “I’ll accompany you to Egypt, and I’ll bring you back.” Chapters 2 to 4 of Genesis 46.
One place he was never supposed to go was here!
Is there anything I’d never do again? What’s the one place I’d rather not visit?
The miracle I’d feared I’d never see is right in front of my eyes.
‘Moses! Moses!’ God yelled from within the bush when He saw him go over to take a look. ‘Here I am,’ Moses replied. “Don’t get any closer,” God told the narrator. You are on holy ground, so please remove your sandals. In Exodus 3:4
Taking care of sheep for 40 years in the Pharaoh’s palace is a far cry from 40 years in the palace.
Moses poses four questions to himself: Who am I? What do I do? What is your name? What about the other people out there? What do you think? This difficulty – this weakness of mine – this battle?
Think back to the many miracles Moses witnessed throughout his life.
- “Here I am” – A message that I never expected to receive.
In the fourth verse of 1 Samuel 3, we find Samuel. God then summoned Sam by calling his name. “Here I am,” Samuel said as an answer. There are times when GOD speaks to you and sounds like someone else, rather than you.
There are times when you’ll have to change your plans, hopes, and dreams because of God’s voice – His call.
5 – “Here I am” – I find myself in a situation I never expected to be in.
Isaiah 6:8: Then I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Who can I send?” “Who’s going to go?” “Here I am,” I announced. “I’m ready to go!”
That is a good question; I will think about it and get back to you at a later time. “I’m going to get a professional to help me with this.”
God doesn’t consult – He needs obedient servants, not a consultative process.
A promise I never thought I could believe in has been fulfilled, and I’m grateful for it.
Consider Mary in Luke 1:35-38.
In response, the angel said, “The Holy Spirit will be upon you, and you will be covered by the power of the Most High.” As a result, the upcoming holy one will be referred to as God’s Son. Because God is a God of impossibility. Mary replied, “I am the Lord’s servant.” “I pray that what you’ve said comes true for me.”
As a teenager, Mary is engaged to Joseph and has been promised a virgin birth by the angel Gabriel. The sentiment is the same, but the words are slightly different.
Some may believe they have sinned too much and are therefore unworthy, while others may believe they have failed miserably or have a disproportionate number of flaws.
As far as I can tell, “I am a failure; I’ve always been a failure; and I won’t ever achieve anything in my life.”
That is no longer the case when we respond to God’s call by saying, “Here I am.”
7 – I serve a person who I never thought I could serve in any way.
Ananias is mentioned in Acts 9:10 and 11 – Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus. “Ananias!” the Lord said in a vision to Ananias.
‘Here I am, Lord,’ replied Ananias. ‘Get up and walk down Straight Street.'” Ask for a man named Saul from Tarsus at the house of Judas.”
Ananias had no idea what was going to happen in the end – we do. As soon as Saul accepts Christ as his personal Savior, Ananias gets involved. He had to face Saul of Tarsus and serve Saul of Tarsus. Ananias had to do both. As a result of Ananias’ service, Saul was healed and baptised.
In JESUS, I find the JOY that I never expected to find.
People may claim to have found God or Jesus at first, but as time passes, they come to realise that it is Jesus who has come to seek us out and call us. As a result of his resurrection, Jesus is available to enter any church or life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
For the sake of the Church’s salvation, Christ desires entry into it in verse 20 of Revelation 3! “I’m here,” I exclaimed. Knocking, I wait outside the door. Open the door if you hear my voice. If you do, I’ll come in and eat with you.
As long as I’m needed, I’m available; I’ll listen; I’ll serve; I’ll trust; and I’m ready to go.
Here I am – ready to give up – I have the strength and courage to face fears.
“Here I am,” I say, “prepared to see miracles, hear a message I never expected to hear, and go and do what I never thought I could do.
To put my faith in God’s promises, and to serve someone I never thought I would serve, and to experience the joy found only in Jesus Christ and all of GOD’s other blessings, here I am.
Jesus chooses you to be part of His plan and purpose in January 2021 because there is a very real need. When God calls or Jesus chooses you, it’s because He wants you to be part of His plan and purpose.
Take your time and think about what you’re saying.
The Nairn Christian Fellowship pastor Sandy Shaw is a member of the Children’s Panel in Scotland, a chaplaincy officer at Inverness Prison, and a chaplain at Nairn Academy. Shaw has travelled extensively over the past few years to the United States and Canada, as well as South Africa, Australia, and Israel, where he has made 12 pilgrimage visits. Shaw has also served as a pastor at Nairn Christian Fellowship and as a chaplain at Nairn Academy in Inverness.