Here I Am

“Moses said, ‘I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.’ When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here am I.’”
— Exodus 3:3–4

It is most often in the middle of our ordinary responsibilities that God calls us to live out our purpose. When God called Moses, he was tending sheep. He saw a bush burning without being consumed. That got his attention so he stopped what he was doing to look more closely. When Moses turned to investigate, God called him by name, and Moses answered, “Here I am.”

We can become so absorbed in getting things done that we overlook the moments when the Lord speaks to us or we bypass the people God has given us to care for. How often do we pause to ask God to speak, then give him our attention without deciding how or when he should answer?

God told Moses that he had seen his people’s suffering and heard their cries, and he was sending Moses to help free them. Moses answered, “Who am I?” He could see what the task required and doubted he was the man to do it.

We may see clearly that someone needs help and still hesitate, aware of our own failures and afraid we will make things worse.

God answered, “I will be with you.” Moses knew his own weaknesses and limitations. He would also have to learn to surrender and trust the Lord. Moses would have to return to Egypt and face Pharaoh before he could know how God would accomplish what he had promised.

We also have to decide whether we will do what God asks when we cannot see how it will turn out. What good are we putting off because we want to know it will succeed before we agree to do it?

Perhaps we have delayed a difficult conversation, an offer of help, or an apology we owe because we want assurance that the other person will respond well. Trusting God means doing our part even when the outcome remains uncertain.

When we say, “Here I am,” and are willing to follow through with what God asks of us, we can make Moses’ prayer our own and act on the responsibilities the Lord has placed before us.

Lord, here I am. You know my weaknesses and the fears. Help me slow down enough to listen and become willing to do what you ask. Help me trust that you will be with me and give me the courage to accept the responsibilities you have given me and the willingness to surrender to you the outcome. Amen.