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!” (Isaiah 6:8)
Throughout the Bible we see God calling men and women to fulfil His purposes. In the Old Testament we see examples like Abraham, Moses, Gideon, David, Esther, Isaiah and many others to be His spokesmen and instruments of grace. The same is seen in the New Testament. Apart from sending His own begotten Son Jesus to save the world, God also called men and women like Mary, The Twelve Apostles, Paul, Priscilla and Aquilla, Onesimus, and the list goes on.
These men and women were called at specific time for specific purposes. Some were called in times of peace, but many were called in times of immense difficulty. Moses was called in times of oppression and slavery. Gideon was called in times of fear and uncertainty. Esther was called when God’s people were on the brink of annihilation. Isaiah was called when the people were disillusioned. Yet we see that God enables those he has called to do his will.
In spite of any kinds of circumstances – God is still calling. And God is still calling today! How then shall we respond? If God is calling you then you need to respond in obedience and trust. Like Samuel he responded, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Isaiah said the same, “Here am I. Send me.” For Esther, “If I perish, I perish.” For Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” And our Lord Jesus showed us the greatest example, “Yet not my will but Yours (God’s) will be done”.
Is God calling you into full-time service? If He is, you ought to respond. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24).