I'll Go

Then I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom can I send? Who will go for us?”So I said, “Here I am. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8

I have a confession to make....you might want to brace yourself because this will come as quite the shock....I didn't always want to be a Chaplain.  There, I said it!  I apologize if anyone spilled their coffee or were otherwise stunned, but it's true.  Now I knew from age 7 that God wanted me in ministry of some sort, but never thought about Chaplaincy.

I am glad God asked me, through Eric Skidmore, today's verse and even then it took another 2 years to decide.  But think about how many times God asks us, "See that person over there who is hurting? Who can I send to comfort them?"  "Hear that person who has questions? Who can I send to talk with them?"  "See that person who needs a friend? Who can I send to befriend them?"

So when God prompted me with that question, "See that Sheriff's Department?  Who can I send to help care for them?"  I finally got the point and said "I'll go."  And have loved this Department more and more.

If we listen carefully, we will hear God ask for volunteers and He asks us for a reason. WHEN God asks you...."Who can I send?"  What will your answer be?

OH (expletive)!

The Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?”“I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”
Genesis 4:9

Have you ever had one of those moments where you thought "OH (expletive)!"?  Yeah, me too.  It's rather like looking out of the airplane window and seeing a skydiver with a sign reminding you that he used to be the pilot.  It's that moment of panic where your stomach churns and threatens to create other issues.

I believe Cain had one of those moments when, after he had killed his brother, God came to him and asked "Where is your brother?  Where is Abel?".  You can almost feel Cain's pucker get tighter!  Almost as puckered as Adam and Eve were when God came to visit with them and asked Adam why he was covering himself.  

I remember taking some cookies off the plate at my Gramma's house.  Grampa asked me if I had taken any of his cookies.  In my young mind, I was astounded that he could have any indication that I had done such a thing, so in all my quick-witted thoughts I told him, "No SIR!"  That's when I got the "Run for your life" look from my Grampa!  It wasn't until I became a parent that I understand how he knew it was me.  Something about the crumbs on my face and the chocolate chips stuck to my teeth, and a few more clues (he had seen me while pretending to nap in his recliner).  You see, Grampa really didn't HAVE to ask the question because he already knew the answer.

God is the same way, when He asks us a question, He already knows the answer.  So what are we to do with those moments when our stomachs drop?  Tell God the truth!  He already knows anyway.  It's better to tell the truth.....ALWAYS!

Words, Words, Words!

When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.

Ephesians 4:29

Imagine if our words actually had weight and substance and force and sharp edges.  Would we be more careful before we threw our opinions or blame or gossip to others?  

We must be wise when choosing our words.  Our words DO carry weight!  The do leave scars!  They can destroy a person's self-perception.  They can obliterate a person's reputation, family, and career.  

Did you know that just the opposite is true too?  Our words do carry weight.  When we encourage someone, their performance usually improves.  Our words can enhance someone's reputation, help heal a family, and boost their career as well.

Our words......be careful which you launch and to whom and about whom.  Before you speak, would you want the same said of you? 

Do You HOPE?

But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.

1Peter 3:15

 

I had been teaching a series of Bible Lessons and one of the the people in the class came to me afterwards and said, "You're SUCH an optimist!"  I thought about that for a while, and at the next session, asked the group how they would define an Optimist.  

 

Here are a few of the answers:

     1.  "One who has lost all sense of reality."

     2.  "A person who sees the world through rose colored glasses."

     3.  "Delusional Idiot"

     4.  "Someone with an unrealistic view of the world."

     5.  "The person who clings to hope in spite of what they see around them."

 

 

Look at what Peter wrote: "Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the HOPE you possess."  

 

Giving up is easy.  Rolling over and getting trampled is simple.  It takes no effort to swim with the current.  It's not difficult to bury one's head in the sand and become part of the "EVERYTHING IS AWFUL" mentality that is so prevalent.

 

How does Peter expect us to have a hope worth giving an answer for?  "Set Jesus apart as Lord in your hearts!"  Yes!  When our hearts are lifted by Christ, we begin to see things differently because we get to see that God truly does have a plan, and Romans 8:28 really is true!  

 

Being an optimist takes EFFORT!  It means you don't take things at face value, because you learn to see beyond the face value to the true worth.  It's not simply slapping on a dopey grin and telling everyone that "All is well."  Being an optimist is a conscious decision!  Usually many times a day and sometimes every moment of every day.  But Scripture tells us that we are to be ready to give an answer for the HOPE we possess, so that means we have to possess Hope in order to give an answer for it.  

 

Do you have Hope?  Have you sought it?  Have you asked God for it?