Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”  NASB

In this passage, Isaiah begins by informing us that King Uzziah had passed away and that was a troubling event for Isaiah.  It was at that time that the prophet saw a vision that rocked him to his core.  He saw the Lord enthroned as Majesty and the Seraphim having six wings and he used two to cover his face, two to cover his feet, and with two he flew crying “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.” 

That experience caused Isaiah to see his own sinfulness and he lamented, “I am ruined because I’m unclean and the people I dwell among are unclean.”  He understood that nothing was hidden from the eyes of the Lord.  Then he saw the Seraphim flying toward him with a burning coal he had taken from the altar and he took that coal and touched Isaiah’s mouth declaring, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sins are forgiven.” 

After this, Isaiah heard the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”  Isaiah had been prepared for service by cleansing and with a renewed heart he cried out, “Here am I. Send me!”  It was at that point the Lord said, “Go, and tell this people…”  God gave him a message and a purpose.  None of that would have any meaning had Isaiah not Volunteered for service.  God will not force us into service but will open the door of opportunity for us to serve. 

That is true in our individual lives and true in our church life.  We may see the need, be convicted of our condition, receive the cleansing and preparation of the Lord But until we volunteer it means nothing.  I’ve observed churches through the years who labored feverishly to press people into service.  People who had not volunteered although greatly qualified were the target.  My attitude has always been that I would rather have a person with lesser qualifications who really wanted to serve than someone with impeccable credentials who did not.  One will invest the time, the energy, the prayer and God will produce the results, the other will simply go through the motions based on their wealth of knowledge or ability and little will be truly accomplished lastingly for the Kingdom.

I’ve heard preachers and churches lament we do not have workers for a particular program and my response has usually been, “If there is no one to perform the task or carry on the program maybe God doesn’t want the program.”  I believe that God provides for that which He desires be that money, people, or whatever. 

If the Holy Spirit has touched your heart and quickened, you with regard to the need you see – Volunteer!  You may only be the intermediary until the one that God has designed and prepared for the task is ready or arrives but you just might be that one.  You will never know until you respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit. 

May God be with you as you go through your day!