here am i, Lord

A couple of friends recently posed me some questions that caused me to think about what I want to do with my future. At a youth conference about a year after accepting the Lord as my savior, I gave complete control of my life to Him. No, I have not always been consistant in following where the Lord has led me. There have been times when I didn't understand the direction God was taking me & was apprehensive about following his plan. The questions my friends asked combined with the service tonight at my church made me want to shout, "Here am I, Lord!"

Missionary Matt Stensaas, serving in Uganda, spoke about why he believes Americans are apprehensive to follow God's call. His focus was missions, but I could see his point applied to simply following the path of the Lord every day of your life. His three causes were that Americans are:

• Afraid to leave comforts--Isaiah 51:12 "I, even I, am He that comforteth you:"
  Brother Stensaas pointed out that Christ left EVERYTHING so that you & I could become part of His family, yet we, as Americans, are apprehensive to serve Christ on the mission field because He may ask us to give up the "comforts" of America. The same fear applies to those who are called to minister, whether part time or full time, here in the states. I had to ask myself this question: "Am I willing to give up a comfortable life to follow the Lord wherever He leads?" Tough question to answer.
• Afraid of the cost--Isaiah 51:16 ". . . & have covered thee in the shadow of Mine hand. . ."
  The most obvious & feared cost of a life devoted to serving the Lord is one giving their life. Brother Stensaas mentioned the irony that most Americans would willingly die for their country but resist the call to live & die for Christ. As I think about where the Lord is leading me right now, sometimes I am apprehensive. Sometimes there are a lot of "what if's" that cross my mind. I have to admit that sometimes I am afraid of the cost of living a devoted life to Christ.
• Afraid to trust God--Isaiah 51:13 "And forgettest the LORD thy Maker . . . ?"
  Guilty! Brother Stensaas had us consider a question that many Americans ask: "Can God be trusted?" In my notes, I wrote "DUH! He has never failed!" He also pointed out that the one thing that man refuses to give God control of usually ends up destroying him. As I consider my future, I am constantly having to remind myself that I can trust God (Jer. 29:11 & Rom. 8:28).

The questions my friends asked me previously in the week were running thru my head as I listened to Brother Stensaas. They both asked the same question . . . what do I see myself doing when I finish college. The simple answer: whatever the Lord tells me to. A more detailed answer would include getting married, teaching high school English & drama, & ministering in the local church.

This summer, the Lord has taught me so much about Himself, but mostly that He has, as a mentor would say, a SUPER DUPER plan for my life. I'm excited to see where He leads & hope that I am truly living a life that says, "Here am I, Lord."

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Here Am I, Lord
by Ron Hamilton

Lord, I give my life to you;
Take control each day.
I will follow anywhere,
Near or far away.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Chorus
Here am I, Lord, send me.
Here am I, Lord, send me.
I will serve you faithfully--
Here am I, Lord, send me.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Lord, I want your perfect will;
Be my faithful Guide.
I will never be afraid:
You are close beside.
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Let me see my mission field
All around each day.
Fill my heart with Jesus' love;
Use me, Lord, I pray.