Send Me
Sunday, February 9
Isaiah 6:1-8
“Whom shall I send?” the Lord asked. I like to imagine Isaiah, naive and full of reckless enthusiasm, waving his hand in the air saying, “Here I am, send me!” After all, he was young and untried. It makes me smile.
It’s wonderful to be willing. We begin with such high hopes and dreams. Then reality sets in. Two things overwhelm us: the awe of the call and fear of the price we may have to pay. It’s good to remember that we are not called to save the world—Jesus did that. We are called to walk the journey God is calling us to, and God is sufficient to provide all we need.
God is still asking, “Whom shall I send?” How are we responding?
Lord, we often sense your call, but instead of accepting it, we sit on our hands. We know we are not adequate, and perhaps we are afraid of the price we might have to pay. Fill us with your passion and lift our hands in trust. Amen.
Overcoming Discouragement
Monday, February 10
Luke 5:1-5
Jesus flagged down some weary fishermen to row him out on the lake so he could be heard by the crowd. When he finished speaking, he said, “Row to deeper water and fish.”
“Been there, done that. No success!” Simon replied. “But, if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”
Repeatedly my friend reached out to her estranged brother. She tried calling, he hung up. She wrote notes, he threw them away. She left messages, he refused to listen. The only thing that kept her going was love, but even that didn’t seem to be enough. Yet she felt Jesus saying, “Row out deeper. Try again.” Although she was weary, discouraged, and out of hope, she phoned one more time. He answered. They are reunited and making up for lost years.
Lord, we get discouraged looking at our empty nets after struggling so hard. Help us to have the courage to row a little deeper and try one more time because you tell us to. Amen.
Patience
Tuesday, February 11
Luke 5:6-11
Fishing requires patience. Jesus invited the men in the boat to give up fishing in water and become “fishers of people” (NLT). My son loves to fish with rod and reel. He baits the hook, throws the line into the water, and waits. Not every cast yields a catch or even a nibble. Not every catch gets reeled in successfully. It’s the same way with “fishing for people.” Not everyone will be interested in the gospel. Some may just nibble and go on; some may seem “caught” but “get away.” It takes patience. When Jesus invited people to believe, some came right away. Some came over time. Some never came. But the invitation Jesus extends to us isn’t to “catch”—it is to fish. The invitation is to offer Jesus to the people we encounter in our world. Just remember, it takes patience.
Lord, it is hard for us to keep on when all our efforts to share you seem to be rejected. Help us to be faithful, patient “fishers of people.” Amen.
Recharged
Wednesday, February 12
Luke 5:12-16
Reports of Jesus’s power were spreading. Vast crowds sought him out. Everyone wanted something from him. Jesus preached, healed, gave—and gave of himself. We may know what that feels like. Sometimes it feels like everyone wants or needs us. We get used up and weary. “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (v. 16). He withdrew to spend time with his Father. He didn’t wait for a break or try to meet all the needs first. We tend to think we must satisfy every demand before we can withdraw. We feel guilty taking time away as though we are failing others, or worse, failing the Lord.
The thing is, we need to be with Jesus often to recharge, to re-find our joy, to live what God intended for us: a full life.
Lord, we often get so involved doing your work that we grow weary and discouraged. Remind us that you are waiting for us. It is not neglecting our duties to be filled with you—it is recharging. Amen.
Friends
Thursday, February 13
Luke 5:17-26
The paralytic’s friends lowered him to Jesus. My friend told me about a season when she was struggling in her life. Some of the gals at work invited her to go to church with them, but she had no interest in church. They persisted in inviting. She persisted in refusing, until one day, just to stop them from pestering her, she went. An amazing thing happened. Church wasn’t boring. Jesus wasn’t just a concept. She was flooded with a sense of hope and joy. She began to see that her whole, messed-up life wasn’t random or without redemption. She met Jesus. But she never would have gone to that service if her friends hadn’t taken her. She would never have gone alone. Now, she does not just invite people to church, she takes them.
Lord, it is easy to invite folks to come to you, yet it can take effort to bring our friends to the place where they can receive the healing and wholeness of your grace. Help us to be faithful friends to those in need. Amen.
He Answers
Friday, February 14
Psalm 138:1-3
“I wish you’d answer me when I ask you a question,” I said impatiently to my husband.
“I did. I nodded my head. You weren’t paying attention,” he replied.
I sighed. “I’m busy here. You have to speak up.”
The psalmist says, “As soon as I pray, you answer me” (v. 3). Sometimes we can feel like God doesn’t answer when we pray, but maybe we are not paying attention. Perhaps we want God to make his answer loud and clear because we are too busy to notice a tiny nod. That nod from God may be a call from a friend, a rainbow in the sky, an unexplained feeling of peace, a butterfly rising from the flowers on a loved one’s grave. While God’s answer is not always yes, it is always, “I am here. I hear you. I am working it out.”
Lord, help us to watch for the quiet reassurance that you hear and answer our prayers, even when you haven’t answered as we expected or hoped. Amen.
His Plans
Saturday, February 15
Psalm 138:4-8
“The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever” (v. 8).
I love making plans. It helps me get things done. It gives me a sense of control over my life. This past summer, we planned to vacation from May through September. We said, “Go.” But God said “No!” Our choices were to fret and try to make it happen or to relax and know that God’s plans are always best. God knows what we do not. As it turned out, home was the best place for us for many reasons.
God works out our plans with faithful love. The psalmist declared this boldly. Yet he went on to beg God not to abandon him! We all suffer moments of doubt and fear. Like the psalmist, we can express them. Our loving Father understands.
Lord, we trust you. We know you love us, and your plans are best. Calm us when we have doubts and fears. Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief. Amen.
