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Here am I! Send Me!

Some of God's greatest blessings are volunteers!

About 740 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, a young aristocrat walked into the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. This young man's name was Isaiah. What he saw and heard in the temple that day caught him completely by surprise. He saw a vision of our holy God in Heaven and heard His voice. You can read all about it in Isaiah 6:1-8. The first thing that struck Isaiah in the presence of the holy God was his own sinfulness. He said, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord almighty. (v 5) Then, an angel touched a hot coal from the altar to Isaiah's lips, and Isaiah was told that his "guilt is taken away" and his "sin atoned for." (v 7) Isaiah then heard the voice of God say, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" (v 8) To this question Isaiah answered without hesitation, "Here am I! Send me!" (v7)

Isaiah was called into volunteer service for the Lord to be a prophet to God's people, and he said, "Yes!" without hesitation. All of us, as Christians, have been called by the Holy Spirit into faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Some have also been called by God through the Holy Spirit as pastors, teachers, or other church workers. But all Christians, no matter what their calling or profession in life, have been called by God into a life of service to Him. This service can take different forms, many of which are volunteer activities. Volunteers are vital in the Lord's ministry to people in our world. Volunteers answer God's call by serving others and telling people about Jesus Christ and all He has freely done for us on the cross.

One of the greatest ways in which people can answer the Lord's call to serve is through prayer. Prayers ask the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of people with developmental disabilities and bring them to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Prayers lift spirits and ask the Lord to provide strength and encouragement in daily life.

There are many other opportunities to be a volunteer in service to God's people with developmental disabilities as well. You can help your Pastor and church reach out to people with disabilities living in your community. You can visit people with disabilities, share your faith in Jesus with them, and invite them to your church. You can be a voice for inclusion of people with disabilities into the life of your church and community. Help make your church a warm and welcome place for ALL people, with or without disabilities. You can be a volunteer for your Lord wherever you live!

When the Lord asks, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" may you and I answer with Isaiah: "Here am I. Send me!"