Here I am...

First consider 2 scriptures:

   "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who 

    will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 5:8, AMP)

   "But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon 

    you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in 

    Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the 

    earth.” (Acts 1:8, AMP)

In the process of understanding these two verses and also their relationship, don't miss the phrase - 'I heard the voice of the Lord...' To me, that is revelatory and of great importance. Obviously, the words say there was no doubt that the voice was the Lords... AND this describes a relationship that was developed long enough for this to be a trusted fact - not a wonder of 'was this of he Lord, or just me'. Also, if you know it's the Lord, you don't need to test the spirits (1 John 4:1) to discover if the voice is or is not the His. 

[I'm also going to add an addendum to this paragraph. The Holy Spirit wasn't at work in the Old Testament as much as He is in the New. He did lead the Old Testament Prophets, however, in the New Covenant, WE have the Spirit residing in us and with us. I believe that in the Old Testament, the 'recipient' had to be more confident.] 

‘Here I am... send me’, Is that your goal, mindset - attitude. If it isn’t, don’t expect to be asked to 'do' something. It isn’t that you aren't always ‘used’, it’s the attitude of availability and preparedness. Remember the 'wise virgins' (Matthew 25:1-13)? We should always be in a position of preparedness and availability. Also remember Luke 12:48, AMP:

   "...From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; 

    and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more."  

Those who are ready, will be those who are asked... at least in my world of understanding. 

Two obvious points: 1. 'Send me' is definitely a decision by the person, unforced... of their own free will. And if you answer and say 'send me', then 2. is that you ARE equipped with everything you need to be successful. I have always found it amazing that even when I don't feel/think I'm prepared, at the point I need (fill in the blank) it is always present. I believe that the reason is that the Lord always provides whatever is needed when it is needed. We are never un-equipped. All we do is to be available and trust. We are His Ambassadors, why would He leave us and set us up for failure? Not. We do have our responsibilities though, we do need is to be prepared, to do our 'due diligence' - pray, study.

We are not alone though, we are equipped, enabled:

   "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has granted me [the needed] 

    strength and made me able for this, because He considered me 

    faithful and trust-worthy, putting me into service [for this ministry]," 

    (1 Timothy 1:12, AMP)

   "For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], 

    He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and 

    ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would 

    be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many 

    believers. And those whom He predestined, He also called; and 

    those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt 

    of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising 

    them to a heavenly dignity]." (Romans 8: 29-30, AMP)

We receive so very much, when we say - Here am I... Send me.