Volunteer Wanted

Pastors spend a lot of time (and much nervous energy) trying to get people to work in the church. They sometimes say, “If you want something done, ask somebody who is already busy”!

The initiative in Christian service, however, should not come from the pastor, nor from the individual Christian. Our text reveals the sovereignty of God in Christian service. “Whom shall I send?” It is his choice, his decision, as it was with Jesus later—“You have not chosen me but I have chosen you.”

Pastors must teach their flock how to listen to the voice of God. The response to God’s initiative, however, is with the individual: “Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Divine selection is followed by the exercise of free will by the individual. This makes for volunteers in the Lord’s army, not conscripts; and as everyone knows, “One volunteer is worth two pressed men.”

1. A full-time volunteer

During the Second World War in England there was an army of Home Guards, men too old to be called into the armed forces, who volunteered for part-time service to defend the shores of Britain. They carried on their secular job but gave of their leisure time to serve in this volunteer army.

In the same way, some Christian workers are called into full-time ministry as pastors, ministers of youth, missionaries, evangelists, etc. Others carry on a secular occupation while serving God as tract distributors, Sunday school teachers, lay preachers, and in various other capacities.

It is well to listen to the voice of God (sometimes speaking through his Word or through a preacher or Christian friend) to see if he is calling us into full-time Christian work.

2. A willing volunteer

What made Isaiah so willing? First, he had a vision of the Lord God in all his glory and holiness. Many of us would be more willing to serve if we saw God in this way.

Isaiah was willing even though he could not see God’s ultimate purpose from the very beginning. “How long?” he asked in verse 11. Sometimes we are afraid to undertake Christian work because we cannot see the end from the beginning. We want to know what the future holds for us.

3. A pattern volunteer

Isaiah was the supreme example of a servant of the Lord God.

A. He was young.

He answered God’s call in youth and then went on to serve him through four kingships—a total of forty to fifty years. In other words he gave God a lifetime.We should listen for God’s call to service as soon as possible after conversion.

B. He was humble.

“I am a man of unclean lips.” He did not flaunt his degrees or diplomas but immediately realized his unworthiness for divine service.

C. He was equally yoked.

To acquire a female partner he went to a prophetess (8:3), one who would understand his work for God and who would support and assist him in that work. So many who are unequally yoked could serve God better if they had compatible partners.

4. Isaiah - the volunteer

Isaiah had been privileged to see within the gates of heaven: seraphs, cherubs, and angels. These spiritual beings guarded the divine throne and worshiped their Lord. Isaiah could have said to God, “Why don’t you send one of them?”

When asked why so many missionaries were women, one missionary replied, “When some men hear the call to the mission field, they reply, ‘Lord, here am I—send my sister.’ ”

A small boy who had no money for the offertory plate put it on the floor, stood in it, and said, “Lord, here am I, take me.” His response must be ours.

Mine are the hands to do Thy work,

My feet shall run for Thee;

My lip shall sound the glorious news—

Lord, here am I, send me.