Here Am I!

Did you know that you don’t have to be an ordained pastor to be in ministry?  Did you know that you don’t have to go to seminary in order for God to use you to transform lives?

When you accepted Christ into your heart, it was a response to God’s invitation to join Him in ministry by joining Him in His mission.

From a devotional I read called The Vision:
“Though (God) never forces us, He does compel us to walk alongside Him in ministry. We are the vessels He desires to move through.  The Lord stirs the hearts of those around us but we are the ones who lead them to Him.”

There’s a saying: “God doesn’t call the equipped (the trained and educated).  God equips the called.”  The only requirement for you to be involved in ministry is to respond to God, the Great I AM, by saying” Here am I.”  In the ESV it says, “Here I am.”

Oh, but then Isaiah says:
“Send me.”
That might be frightening to you.  To tell the Lord to “send” you.  Where?  For how long?  “Does that mean I have to go to Africa?  Maybe.  The truth is that you are already on a mission, doing ministry at work, in your neighborhood, in your family, or wherever it is you find yourself on any given day.

There’s a phrase for this in today’s Christian culture.  It’s called MISSIONAL LIVING.  It’s basically living your life on purpose for the Kingdom of God.  It’s paying attention to your surroundings, watching for where God is at work, sensing the nudge of the Holy Spirit, and saying, “HERE AM I – USE ME!”

You don’t need a title, or a platform, or anyone’s permission, only a tender and 
obedient heart.  Partnering with Him is different for everyone.  Sometimes it looks like praying for the sick person in front of you at the store.  Sometimes it means comforting a sad coworker.  If you pay attention to the people around you and avail yourself to Him, you will see Him touch the world through you.” (The Vision)