It was the summer of 1995. 

I had come to Dallas with my parents and siblings to attend an annual conference. While attending this conference, I had sung a solo “Here I Am” by Rebecca St. James, the lyrics of which popped up in my mind just recently.

It begins:
“God asks the question, “Whom shall I send?”
Now what will we answer? Will we go and do as He says?
All that He wants is a heart, ready, willing and waiting”

Having completed my freshman year of college, those words had been echoing loudly in my spirit. I knew I was being prompted to pursue something outside of my comfort zone. Despite the fear and trepidation, I was finally ready to do it. 

The song continues:
“Here I am
I surrender my life to the use of Your plan
Here I am
I will do as You say, I will go where You send
Here I am”

I meant every one of those words as I plunged into what I thought would be the biggest change of my life: to go to a different college with a different major. Little did I know that just a decade after that event, I would be moving to Dallas with my husband and babies in what would become the biggest change to date. At the same token, I did not know that twenty years later, I would be a part of this ministry team having met three of the leaders back at this very conference!

While I may not know what my future holds, God does because my life is in His hands. All that He is looking for a heart that is “ready, willing, and waiting” to take the leap of faith with Him.

As the young Samuel was in the temple, he didn’t know that when he responded to God’s call, he would one day become a great prophet of Israel.
When Joseph was in prison, he didn’t know that when was faithful, he would one day become second in command to the ruler of Egypt.

So often we think that we are called based on our qualifications and skills or that we are limited by our circumstances, but “… the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT)

The song concludes:
“Lord I give myself to You, my God I trust You
Lord, tell me Your ways, show me how to live
Guide me in Your truth and teach me my God, my Savior”

May this be the prayer of each of our hearts today in where God calls us to go and in what God calls us to do.
~Joyce