By Rev. Keith Howard
Isaiah 6:8 – “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!
When God calls, He is not simply looking for ability—He is looking for availability. Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern:
• God sent Joseph ahead to Egypt to preserve His people in famine.
• He sent Moses to deliver Israel from bondage.
• He sent Aaron to assist Moses and intercede as high priest for a sinful nation.
• In the fullness of time, He sent His Son, Jesus, to redeem us from sin and death.
God always has someone ready when His work must be done. The question is not whether He is calling—it’s whether we will respond.
Isaiah had a profound vision of God’s holiness, leading him to confess his unworthiness and accept his calling. The same is true for us: before we can go to God, we must be cleansed by Him. Once the angel touched Isaiah’s lips with the coal, he was no longer the same, and neither are we when Christ purifies us.
Like Isaiah, you may not feel qualified. You may even feel overwhelmed by your weaknesses. But the truth is, God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. The only thing He waits for is a willing heart.
Personal Reflection
I remember when my Pastor Cleo Albury at Bible Baptist Church asked me to lead our Sunday School class because the teacher was relocating to another town because of his job, even though I didn’t think I was qualified. I thought, “Surely someone else can do this better.” But as I prayed, I sensed God saying, “I’m not asking for your perfection—I’m asking for your obedience.”
When I said yes, God provided everything I lacked—confidence, words, and people willing to listen. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me that God equips those He calls. My “yes” became an open door for Him to work, which deepened my trust in His faithfulness.
Something To Think About
• What is God asking of you today?
• Is there a place in your family, church, or community where He is calling you to serve?
• Can you echo Isaiah’s response: “Here am I, Lord—send me”?
Prayer
Lord, I surrender my life to You. I may not feel equipped, but I trust that You will provide all I need. Give me courage to say “yes” when You call and faith to go where You send me. Here I am, Lord—send me. Amen.
