Who Will Go?

I was born in Tennessee, a state in America.  Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State; a name that is primarily attributed to one event.  President James Madison called on the citizens of Tennessee to defend their neighbor to the south, the “Lower Country” during the War of 1812 against Great Britain.  An expedition was placed under the command of Andrew Jackson, a major general of the Tennessee militia.  The many volunteers became famous for their victory defending New Orleans, earning Tennessee the nickname of the Volunteer State.  

By definition, a volunteer is one who undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service.  The definition continues to impress that the one who renders the voluntary service or takes part in a transition does so while having no legal concern or interest.  

All sorts of things might drive us to volunteer for various activities and tasks; our love for our children drives our commitments to volunteer at school events.  Our care for our communities causes us to voluntarily work in various ways to support our neighborhoods and cities.  It seems natural for us to sacrifice our time and energy for the things we care about in our lives.  Volunteering is not always an act of complete selflessness or even burdensome for us.  

Those in Tennessee volunteered with an unwavering dedication and love for a new and unsettled nation, knowing that their lives may be lost.  They found a right cause that was worthy of heart, energy, and time.  It was a voluntary service that would lead to a victorious end.  We are so easily persuaded that we would do the same thing under the circumstances, and I do not doubt that many would.  And yet, we struggle to voluntarily give our hearts, time, energy, commitment, and dedication to the kingdom that our Lord has given His life for.  

Perhaps we lose sight because we fail to remember, because we forget or worse yet, are not acquainted enough with the spiritual nation we serve, defend, and protect.  Perhaps we lose sight because our service does not end while we live on earth, our victory and reward is “seen” only when our flesh fails. We must continue to sing “We’ll work ‘til Jesus comes'' with sincere motives to do so. Unfortunately, our eagerness to go-and-do can wain at times; illness, burdens, worldly responsibilities, trials, unforeseen circumstances, and temptation can impede our desire to volunteer and serve.  Our Commander, unlike the commanders of the world, does not instruct without our desire to know.  Our Commander does not mandatorily require us to exercise our minds and hearts.  Our Commander does not require us to wear the armor so faithfully prepared by Him. 

I wonder what a small glimpse into the throne room of God would propel us to volunteer for. There are a few (Job, Moses, Ezekiel, Daniel, John) who have been given the opportunity to experience our God and the Heavens in ways that we have not.  In all circumstances, they are brought to their knees, they are without words, they are astonished, they are afraid.  But none leave the presence of God unchanged, apathetic, or less interested in knowing more. It is thrilling to consider how Isaiah responds to a most difficult and uncertain call for a volunteer – while in the presence of the Lord and His seraphim. He is before a throne that is lifted high, smoke and the train of the Lord’s robe filling the temple, the doorposts shaken by the voice of Him who called. Isaiah, understanding he is not worthy or ready can only note his inadequate nature when in this place with this King.  

And yet the Lord does not think so; he is more than capable of taking the iniquity, the inadequacies, the obstacles, and the reservations away.  With grace and forgiveness, with cleansing provided as the seraphim touched Isaiah’s lips, this insignificant soul is ready to volunteer in all capacities needed. 

Isaiah 6:1-8:

I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.  Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”

 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So, I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.”  Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”  

Isaiah immediately volunteers.  Having a glimpse, however brief, into the presence of God demands but one response.  Beholding glory would compel Isaiah to spend all of his earthly days in complete devotion and service to the one he beheld upon the throne.  

Isaiah’s call to service would not be one like the Tennessee volunteers, who fought and experienced the victory and the end of the fight within three years.  Isaiah’s service was one that would last until his fleshly body was gone.  His efforts were disregarded, unheard, unheralded, disrespected, and forgotten by most on earth.  But, his eyes had seen the glory; he had been “undone” when faced with the magnificence and brilliance of glory.  His call to service paled in comparison to all he had seen.  What do we know?  Do we know how unclean we are without his grace that provides us cleansing?  What do we see?  When we look to the heavens, do we see with our eyes and hear with our ears the hosts singing “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”?  Do we see the living creature giving glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne? (Rev 4:8-9).  Is that image worth shouting “Here am I, Send me?” 

Paul says that because we are given a small glimpse of the wisdom and knowledge of God, it is only reasonable to volunteer ourselves to be living sacrifices, holy, and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).  Our voluntary service does not promise ease as Paul reminded the Galatian saints as he traveled among them, strengthening and encouraging them, in Acts 14, telling them that “we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”  And yet, the call “opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”  

What does our service look like?  Well, because we are born in a different place and time than Isaiah, Paul, or our fellow saints in Galatia, it may on the surface appear different.  But it is not.  To God, to our Lord Jesus, to the heavenly hosts who cheer for us - our voluntary efforts look the same.  Send me to help others, send me to teach others, send me to comfort others, send me to encourage.  Allow me to learn more about your word, allow me to know more wisdom, allow me to put the armor on and fight, allow me to be a light on a hillside, allow me to sacrifice my selfish desires.  Because I know of the throne room, I know of the promises, I know Heaven awaits me, I know my Shepherd leads me, I know it is true.  Here am I, Send me!