Here I Am

It’s about mid-term here at Candler, and in just a few days I and many others will involved in a furry of tests and papers.  One such test which I will have to study quite hard for is my second Hebrew exam.

It’s no secret that language study is difficult, and I knew that going in.  Hebrew is no
exception, requiring somewhere around four to six hours each week in regular study time not including test. It is a demanding task.

But it’s also my favorite class.  No, I’m not very good at it, but the tiny, incremental progress involved with studying Hebrew has been so rewarding.

This morning, in a poor attempt to procrastinate from studying, I began to think of passages in Old Testament scripture I might be curious to investigate with my extremely primitive knowledge of the language.  Then it hit me:

In so many of the call stories from the Old Testament, we find our soon to be Biblical hero going about daily life without a thought for the holy.  Some are tending sheep and others   Suddenly, God calls to them by name:

“Abraham!” ” Jacob!” “Moses!” All called by name from the mouth of the most Holy.  Abraham is both called to sacrifice, and then he is called to stave his hand (Genesis 22:1-19). Jacob called from the famine of the land to sanctuary of Egypt (Genesis 46:1-4).  An, of course, Moses called to from a burning bush to deliver the people out of the sanctuary of Egypt which had turned into painful and abusive slavery for God’s people (Exodus 3:4).

All three of these people respond to God’s call in the same way, simply “here I am!” 

It is an innocent response. It is an open response.  It reminds me of a teacher taking role in school.  These three raise their hand when God call’s there name completely unaware of what is in store for them.  They have no idea that their stories would be told for thousands of years.

The phrase “here I am” is translated from the Hebrew הִנֵּה or hin-nay, and it really has no equivalent in English.  We find it other places in scripture usually when the text is translated as “Behold!” or “Look!” Yet, these really don’t capture the full meaning of the term.

Hin-nay really is used to indicate the presence of something. It is used to highlight and draw attention. And I think, in the example of these call stories, it is used to draw attention and offer openness to God.

I believe we are to have that same openness towards God.  We are to lift our hands eager to be sent to join in God’s transforming work through Christ. We are called to use our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness to change at least a single life.  Serving God’s Kingdom and building on the incremental progress which is difficult, which is demanding, but so rewarding.

And, do not be fooled. We are all called to do God’s work, with eager heart and open hands we must respond to God’s call with Hin-nay, ‘here I am.’

As the song from James Kilbane goes:

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.