Why Me, Lord?

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I want to speak to you today about a question we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives: What's next? We all want to know what the future holds, God's plans for us, and what path we should take. And sometimes, when we face difficult situations, we also ask: Why me? We wonder why God has allowed us to endure specific trials and challenges. But I want to challenge you today to consider a different question: Please use somebody else.

In the book of Isaiah, we read about a prophet with a vision of the Lord sitting on his throne, high and exalted. In this vision, the Lord asked, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And Isaiah responded, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah was willing to be used by God, even though he knew that it would not be an easy task. He knew that the people he would be sent to were rebellious and stubborn and that he would face opposition and persecution. But he was willing to go because he knew God was with him.

Sometimes, we may be tempted to ask God to use somebody else under challenging situations. We may feel like we are not strong, talented, or equipped enough to handle the task God has given us. But we must remember that God does not call the equipped; he equips the called. He has a plan and a purpose for each of us, and he will give us the strength and the wisdom we need to fulfill that plan.

In the book of Exodus, we read about Moses, who also questioned God's plan for him. When God called him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, Moses asked, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). But God reassured him, saying, "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:12). And indeed, God was with Moses every step of the way, leading him and guiding him as he fulfilled his calling.

So, when we ask ourselves, "What's next?" or "Why me?" let us also remember to ask, "Please use somebody else?" Let us be willing to step out in faith and trust that God will equip us for whatever task he has. Let us be like Isaiah, saying, "Here am I. Send me!" Let us be like Moses, trusting that God will be with us every step of the way.

In closing, I want to share a quote from Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who survived the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps. She said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." Let us trust in God's plan for our lives, even when we cannot see what lies ahead. Let us pray.

Dear God, we come before you today with open hearts and minds. We ask that you show us your plan for our lives and give us the courage and strength to fulfill that plan. Help us trust in your guidance and provision, even when the way ahead is uncertain. We ask that you would use us for your glory and that we would be willing to go wherever you call us. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

And now, if anyone here today feels called by God to a particular task or ministry, I invite you to come forward and pray with me. Let us commit ourselves to God's plan for our lives and trust that he will equip us for whatever lies ahead.