I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear My light to them? Whom shall I send? Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have born my peoples pain. I have wept for love of them, They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone. I will speak My word to them, Whom shall I send? Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them, My hand will save Finest bread I will provide, Till their hearts be satisfied. I will give My life to them, Whom shall I send? Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.

In my devotion this week, I am going to use a hymn you all are probably very familiar with. For over 15 years, I have enjoyed singing this hymn in worship. I remember when I first “heard” my calling back in 2002, wondering if I was doing what the Lord really wanted me to do. I had two job opportunities, one was working with the Boy Scouts of America and the other was being the Director of Christian Education/Youth Director at Hope Presbyterian in Winter Haven. It’s funny how God gave me two choices at around the same time. I had interviews in the same week with both positions. However, I can vividly recall driving home from the interview at Hope and feeling God placing “His calling” directly on my heart. There was an immediate sense of peace that had to come straight from Heaven because typically I’d be worried, nervous, and possibly freaking out a bit. I had the privilege of serving as DCE/Youth Director at Hope for 4 years and soon heard the Lord’s calling again, to apply for the DCE position at First Presbyterian.

We read in 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!”

I’m not always great at “listening” to the Lord but I try to be obedient the moment I can tell it’s really from Him and it’s not just an “Amy thing.” My first mission trip to Honduras was similar to that. At first it was me wanting to go on a “youth trip” but about 5 minutes after landing in Honduras I realized this is all about Him – not about me. May we have open hearts and open minds to go where He leads us to go and as we go, may we show His love to those we come in contact with. Give us that excitement to faithfully say, “Here I am Lord, send me!”

Prayer

Here we are Lord, coming before You today knowing that You have great plans for us. Help us to listen faithfully when You call and give us peace in our hearts to follow You always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.