“Here am I Lord, send me”

“Is anyone interested in helping me conduct a short worship service at a nursing home on Sunday mornings?”

That was the question, and for some reason I volunteered. I had never been involved in anything like that, but when the question was asked, my hand went up. I didn’t think about it, the hand just seemed to go up on it’s own. After volunteering, I wondered what have I done. I had no idea what I was expected to do. Fear of the unknown is a powerful force. I was afraid I had really stuck my neck out too far this time and jumped in over my head.

Being a salesman most of my adult life, making cold calls and talking with strangers came pretty easy. I remembered, those first sales calls terrified me.That was the same feeling I had after volunteering for this. When I placed my trust in God and stopped trying to do everything myself, my fear of the unknown disappeared, my confidence increased and my sales began to get better. Was God speaking to me when I volunteered for this nursing home ministry? Looking for answers, I turned to the Bible and found this. “I tell you the truth, what ever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

I never considered standing in front of a group of strangers, talking about Jesus.Why would God send me? I’m no preacher, what shall I say? Was God sending me into unfamiliar territory for a reason? “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 Lord, send me” (Isaiah 6:8). If God had something to teach me, I was sure He would provide whatever I needed to accomplish this mission. God spoke to Moses “Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak” (Exodus 4:12). I started on an amazing journey more than sixteen years ago and discovered a blessing on the way. It continues today.

The residents continue to teach me many things. God’s love, compassion and grace is visible in their smiles. The concern for each other is amazing; prayers are always for someone else, hardly ever for themselves. The loneliness, the hurts, the infirmities and pains are forgotten as they happily sing praises to God. I can see the face of God holding their hand as he guides them through the difficult times of life, and I thank God for sending me to share their happiness.  

When God speaks…we should listen. He may have a blessing waiting for us.