Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling, verse 1, LBW 381
1 Hark, the voice of Jesus calling,
"Who will go and work today?
Fields are white and harvests waiting,
Who will bear the sheaves today?"
Loud and long the master calls you;
Rich reward he offers free.
Who will answer, gladly saying,
"Here am I.
Send me, send me"?
Devotion
Forty-two years ago, at my ordination into the ministry, we sang this hymn. It was out of the Red Hymnal, but the words never change: “Who will go and work today?” I answered a call to ordained ministry, but everyone who uses their gifts of the Holy Spirit is answering the call of Jesus. The key is to answer gladly. For it is in giving that we experience the real joy of life. It is in using our gifts of the Spirit for the glory of God that we find true happiness. Now is the time for every member of the family of God to answer the call of Jesus with those great words of Isaiah, “Here am I, send me!” For the greatest reward at the end of the day is to hear those words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Prayer
Dear Savior, thank you for calling and sending us in witness and mission to labor in your fields. By your grace may your fields become white unto harvest with those who do not yet know of your love. Amen