But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? (Romans 10:14)

              One of my favorite hymns, and I have many favorite hymns, is “Here I Am, Lord,” by Daniel Schutte. I love the melody of the song, and the words speak to my call as a pastor.

              I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

              I will hold your people in my heart.

              At the same time, I cannot sing this hymn without thinking of the reluctance of those who were called by God in our Bible stories. Moses didn’t want to go to Egypt. Isaiah felt unworthy. Jeremiah said he was too young. And Jonah preferred a three-day, spa weekend in the belly of a giant fish rather than respond to God’s call with a hearty, “Here I am. Send me.”

              I, too, was reluctant. For years friends of the family would ask if I was going to be a minister like my father, and for years my reply was, “Hell no!” It took some serious divine intervention before I finally said, “Ok. Here I am, Lord.”

              Proclaiming the gospel is scary, and in our world today with the most vocal of evangelists proclaiming a gospel I don’t even recognize, it can feel especially fraught. But if we who follow a loving and accepting Christ remain silent, versus that judging, excluding Jesus the Christian Nationalists, how is anyone to know that a loving and accepting Christ is real?

              And remember that “proclaiming” can take many forms. In fact, what we do, how we live, how we treat others, speaks louder than 100 sermons. In the words attributed to St. Francis, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.”

              God is calling each of us to share the good news that God’s kingdom is near. May our response be, “Here I am, Lord.” And may our deeds help others to believe.