And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa. 6:8)
I am able to accomplish tasks alone, but I would rather not. As my children have grown older and have left the house, once collaborative and joyful tasks have become somewhat arduous for me (extrovert problems). After all, what fun is it to prepare for Christmas alone? So, when my college-age girl came home last year to help me decorate for the holidays, I found myself simultaneously energized and relaxed. She came to help so that she could spend time with me, and we enjoyed talking and getting things done side-by-side. She knows how much I love her and enjoy her company, and she loves me back. Good relationships make things better.
Today’s passage reveals a similar posture of the heart. It is a posture of devoted willingness. A relational God desires our time, attention, and companionship to accomplish his will. God, in his providential power and sovereignty, certainly can and does appoint tasks to be fulfilled, and at other times carries out his will alone, but Isaiah’s reverence for God—his relationship with his maker—made Isaiah’s yes significant and meaningful.
This famous passage points to something profound. A simple “I’ll do it” is powerful. Being willing doesn’t mean we are in any way qualified, prepared, or ready. But that’s the point. Willingness—and submitting our will to his—is all that’s required.
Service begins with a simple willingness to say yes.
Dalene (Rovenstine) Fisher is a wife, mother, and grandma. She serves as assistant provost and dean of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
