Being Sent
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Have you ever read or heard this verse from Isaiah 6 and thought ‘Here I am, send someone else’. I have. Mostly because in the past I saw sending as being something that happened to Missionaries who were sent to far flung countries. And I didn’t want to go.
However I have come to realise that being sent means going to your community, to your neighbours, to your workplace to wherever there’s a person God wants you to speak to.
Representing Jesus
My purpose is to represent Jesus through my actions and my values and not necessarily my words. In a recent talk by Paul Manwaring he described his eldest son to us who is changing lives as he uses his knowledge and skills to teach music.
This description enabled me to look at my life and the spheres of influence that I have. This is mostly in the area of textiles where I give talks and teach workshops. This is where God is sending me, to help change people’s lives through my gifts, knowledge and skills.
Reaching the Lost
We have no idea how many contacts a non-believer needs with a believer before they accept Jesus as their Saviour. I was first introduced to the concept of being saved in 1968. It didn’t happen for another 20 years.
Also we have no idea what it might be that unlocks faith in Jesus in someone. Somewhat bizarrely, my lightbulb moment was watching a live performance of a mime artist* telling the story of Moses – I have no idea how a burning bush and a staff that turns into a snake unlocked belief in Jesus for me.
So don’t dismiss the ideas you have or the words you say to someone. It may be just what they need at that moment.
We may be the first point of contact or the tenth or the fifteenth. It’s not for us to know. We just need to be ourselves and use our skills, knowledge and spiritual gifts with people we meet.
Spiritual Gifts
We have been given Spiritual Gifts by God to use within the church and outside of the church. Combined with our skills and knowledge we can use the gifts God has given us to connect with people who are interested in the same things.
Do you know what Spiritual Gifts you have been given?
If you’re struggling to identify your spiritual gifts, try asking someone you trust. Sometimes it’s easier for others to identify them. Often because we think ‘well that’s just how I am’ rather than realising this is a gift from God. People with the gift of encouragement or hospitality are frequently like that. And gifts are sometimes given for a season or for when the church needs us to operate in that gift. If you’re still unsure you could try this online questionnaire: Giftstest.
My gifts include Generosity, Craftsmanship and Helps. Generosity doesn’t have to mean money. It can do, but for me it’s also been about the amount of time I commit to other people in sharing my knowledge and skills in the textile world. I don’t keep my knowledge to myself but willingly share, or possibly overshare, as I want people to be as knowledgeable and creative as they can possibly be. The gifts of helps is about helping and support people and this gift combines well with the gift of generosity.
To think about
What gifts has God given you?
What skills and knowledge do you have?
Where has God placed you where you can use your skills, knowledge and gifts?
*Click on the link to see a video of a performance of the mime. Sadly it’s a poor quality video
