Did you hear about the four church members, Sam Somebody, Evan Everybody, Andy Anyboy, and Norbert Nobody? Whenever a job needed done at church, Everybody figured Anybody could do that. But Anybody thought Somebody would surely do it. Of course, Nobody ended up doing it. Poor Nobody was worked to death, so Nobody went to heaven. As for Everybody, Anybody, and Somebody, you can finish the story.
Where are those who, like Isaiah, will say, “Here am I; Send me!”? (Isaiah 6:9). Do we mean those words when we sing them? When Isaiah understood who God is and what He had done for him (Isaiah 6:1-4), he was ready to go to work!
Moses wasn’t so willing – at least not at first. “Why me? I don’t know what to say! They won’t listen to me. I can’t speak well” (Exodus 4:1-10). Unlike Isaiah, Moses’ idea was more along the lines of “Here am I; Send somebody else!” The Lord did, indeed, send someone else (Aaron), but Moses himself still had to go. Aaron went along as his spokesman. Moses finally accepted his responsibility and fulfilled his assignment magnificently. Lesson: You don’t have to do everything yourself; it’s OK for others to help you. But you must do your part!
Both Isaiah and Moses completed their work; they didn’t quit part-way through the process. Perseverance and determination characterized these and other heroes of faith.
Jesus rebuked the church at Sardis because they failed to finish what they had begun. “I have found none of your works perfect [complete] before God” (Revelation 3:2). Despite their reputation for being a lively congregation, the Great Physician pronounced them dead! (3:1).
May each of us zealously answer the call of God by saying, “Here am I: Send me!” And may we persevere with determination so that God’s will may be done, His name may be glorified, and we may enter Heaven by His grace!
