By Growing up, there was a song we used to sing at church and camp, it seemed to be one of the few hymns that translated well to be played on guitar, it was call Here I Am, Lord. Now for those that know me, I do not take to singing song lyrics that I do not mean. So when I sing a song, especially one from church, it is one that I have to mean. So growing up my favorite song was a hymn that spoke about going. Lately this song has been on my mind quite a bit. There is one verse in particular, that kinda stops me overtime.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them, They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them
Whom shall I send?
God, in His call to us, is showing us a piece of his heart. He bears the pain of His people, He weeps for them even when they turn away. Then comes the kicker, He will break the hearts of stone to give a heart for love alone. How many people do we know that have a hardened heart, one that is stone? I know that I know many people who have this stone heart because of circumstances and things that have made them decide that they need to be hardened so as not to be hurt again. When I think of the hurt that people go through to get to that point of a heart of stone, my heart is broken for them. My heart cries out to God to help them, heal them, rescue them. As someone trained in psychology, my focus has been on trauma and helping those with trauma history recover. So often, those with trauma, have had their heart turn to stone as a means of protection from any more hurt. If they are tough it won’t matter what people do to them, right? God, speaks to us and softens our hearts, and heals our hearts but the heart of stone, can’t be healed unless it is broken open. Then God begins the healing process. The question He asks is whom shall He send? God works through His people, He speaks through His people. Also, people need other people to support and love them as God does His healing work.
This is where the chorus of the song is on repeat in my mind.
Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
Have you heard Him calling in the night? Have you answered Him? I know that for me my prayer of response, since I was a little kid has been I will go, if You lead me. Over the year, well about high school, this last part really became a part of who I am, I will hold Your people in my heart. While those who know me know that I am a thinker not a a feeler, this is one area where there is some feeler in me. My heart breaks for people, I want to sit with them and hear their stories and speak God truth to bring healing to the pains and hurts. My heart cries out to God for His people that are hurting and lost and scared. Where does healing come from, healing comes from God. So, are you being called? Are you ready to answer? I know that God has been speaking to me about areas to speak His love and healing and transformation what about you? Are you ready to answer like Isaiah did in the verse below?
“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
