Active Theology

When my older daughter was 3 years old, she asked me, “Can you stop looking at your phone?”, while we played together. I hated hearing it. I still think about that comment now and again and it’s been two years since I heard it. 

There’s something significant about a person’s presence and the undivided commitment to being in the moment. Sometimes I have to remind myself to be intentional, not get distracted, and in my head say, “Here I am”.

Here I am.

It’s one of my favorite statements in the Bible. It’s short, but it carries a significant amount of weight. Here are a few times “Here I am” is said… 

• Abraham – Genesis 22:1
• Jacob – Genesis 31:11
• Moses – Exodus 3:4
• Isaiah – Is. 6:8
• Ananias – Acts 9:10

In each of these examples, we witness a big movement of God in history as He works through humans to accomplish His plans. God is always ready and willing to work. He is sometimes waiting for us to respond with, “Here I am”.

Christ’s willingness to say “Here I am” to the Lord’s plan brought about salvation for you and me.  

“…Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ” (Phil. 2:6-8)

Knowing the Father’s plan, Jesus said, “Here I am”, and gave himself up to be crucified on the cross so that we could have eternal life. 

What would happen if you started your week by saying, “Here I am”, to God? Big things might be in store for you this week. God might have some Kingdom work for you to do. Saying, “Here I am”, reframes your focus and gets you ready to respond to God’s promptings. 

Pray: God, thank you for an opportunity to be part of your Kingdom. As I begin my week, I say “Here I am”. I give you my undivided attention. Please use me in ways that bless others and honor You. Amen. 

Song:  “Be Thou My Vision” by Ascend the Hill

Craig is a worship pastor at Wallula Christian Church and the creator of Active Theology. He loves coffee dates with his wife, reading, and riding his bike. A few of his favorite things are third wave coffee, vanilla ice cream, and plain t-shirts.