Here I Am

 When someone calls your name, do you respond, "Here I am"? I was a substitute teacher for a short time, and I would call roll, and it would be so much easier if I could get this response. I would even take a "HERE".

The junior high children responded in many different ways. It was helpful when, right after I called a name, someone would quickly respond and let me know the person was not present. 

In Exodus chapter 3, a few things stood out to me. I know that in other places in the Bible, when God called people, He would call them by name, and they responded, "Here I am." 

This example hit a bit hard today, and I had to ask why. As I thought about the junior high classes and the children's responses, it made sense. Some were absent, so they could not respond at all. Some really didn't want to be present, so they slowly raised their hand, making me look around for a raised hand. No sound came from them. 

Some were busy looking at their computer, distracted by something, or lying their head down to take a nap. Some yelled out for others, and every now and then I would get a "HERE" and a smile as if they were glad to be there and glad I was there.  

 I got to thinking about how God called Moses. He caught his attention by appearing in the midst of a burning bush. The bush was burning with fire but not consumed. When Moses looked at the bush, God called him by name. Moses, Moses, and he said, "Here I am". Maybe I should've tried that as I called the roll. I bet it would have woken up a few of those kids. 

There are other places where we can read that God called people by name, and they responded, "Here I am." 

Today God still calls people by name. We are all called by God. What is our response? Which one of the children can you relate to? Are you the one sleeping? I know I can relate to the distracted one. Always trying to do at least 2 things at once, not giving my full attention to what I should be doing. Are you present, but you would really rather be somewhere else than meeting with the one calling your name?

I know many teachers who show up day after day, year after year, because they care. They give their students what is important for life. They get to know those children not just by name, but also see the gifts and qualities in them that make them unique. They come to love them. Well, most of them, and to be honest, I bet the most difficult ones they have a soft heart for, wanting what is best for them. 

We all have such different personalities and unique qualities that are so valuable. God calls people by name today. First, He has called us out of darkness into his wonderful light. We are given gifts to use for His glory, and, in turn, this allows us to shine. We are called for a specific purpose, and those purposes are not meant to harm us but to prosper us. Good teachers teach not to harm their students, but to help them navigate this life. Often, what they learn benefits not just themselves but others.

When God called Moses, it was to help others. The job seemed pretty big. Going to Pharaoh and having him release the children of Israel out of Egypt and the bondage they were in. Moses questioned the assignment. I think that's fair. He wanted to know, "WHO AM I that I should do this?

God gave him instructions and said, "I will certainly be with you." Moses wanted questions answered as we do when we are called by God. He wanted to know how to answer the children of Israel. God told him. You can read chapter 3 of Exodus for details (a one-minute read). Moses wanted to know what to tell the children of Israel when they asked who sent him. 

I see that God allows us to do what he calls us in our humanness first. He knows whether it will work. He tells Moses to take the elders and go to the king of Egypt and say, "The Lord God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now please, let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. 

I found it interesting that God wanted it done human-to-human first. God knows when people won't listen to His ways. I know I still need to be obedient. I can't help but remember the verse Jeremiah 7:27 : You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you; and you shall [also] call to them, but they will not answer you. (AMP)

God will step in, take over, and accomplish His goal for His people. 

"So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed."

There's a song, The Lord Will Provide, with these words:

I know my God's not empty-handed
'Cause He gives us blessings upon blessings
I'm still believing
Oh, I know the Lord will provide (Yes)
I know the Lord will provide (I know, I know it)
I know the Lord will provide

 

There were 2 big takeaways for me in this short chapter of Exodus. One, how do I answer when God calls? And to remember He allows us to work human to human, and I can be assured He is always working and will show His wonders that many times I won't be able to explain, to accomplish His will. 

 

You can read in Exodus about the wonders that happened before Pharaoh let God's people go. 

 

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 References: Exodus chapter 3, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11