Send me to where?

“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!” (Isa. 6:8 NIV)

 Where are you meant to go?

If you’ve been a Christian for a while and attend church regularly, you’ve probably been exposed to Bible passages that tell you to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15). Or maybe you’ve heard amazing stories from missionaries who tell about their calling to go and share Christ in far away countries like Africa. But even though you appreciate what they do, you don’t feel “called” to do the same as them or to leave where you are now living and go to some remote location to proclaim Christ. You feel like you’re an average person who just lives and works day-to-day within your own community, and you’re going about trying to make a living. So, how do you handle those “go and proclaim the gospel” verses? First, let’s start by considering what Isaiah did.

Isaiah responded to God 

The Bible says plainly in the passage at the top of the page that Isaiah was responding to what he specifically heard God say and he answered accordingly and did exactly the right thing! And we should of course do the same when we know for sure that God is speaking to us (James 1:22).

God speaks clearly to us this way

God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16–17). And as we read it, the Holy Spirit teaches, instructs, and leads us (John 14:26; 1 John 2:27). When we find a passage that’s a general command directed to all, we don’t have to do any guesswork, we just do it. Just before He left, He said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation.” It’s a commandment given to all Jesus’ followers, and that’s you, too!

One more time!

Let’s look a little closer at that verse again. “Jesus said, go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation.” Understand that “all the world” and “all creation” include your present community right where you now live and work along with everyone who’s in it—that’s the place and the people He placed you among to reach! Yes, you! It’s no accident you’re there, it’s by God’s design!

Therefore

So, your response to Jesus’ great commission should be the same as Isaiah’s, “Here am I, send me!”

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15)