Responding to God’s Call with “Hineni”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go and tell this people: Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
— Isaiah 6:8-10
The Hebrew word hineni means “Here I am,” but it carries a deeper meaning. It’s not just about physical presence—it’s a declaration of readiness, surrender, and willingness to obey God, no matter the cost. In Isaiah 6:8-10, Isaiah responds to God’s call with hineni after encountering His holiness. This powerful moment shows what it means to say, “Yes, Lord,” even when the task is difficult or when we feel uncertain about our purpose.
Many of us at times struggle to feel like we have a purpose. We may wonder if God has a specific plan for us or if we’re just wandering through life without meaning. The call to hineni challenges this mindset. It reminds us that our purpose is not about having all the answers, but about being willing to respond to God’s call, wherever He leads us, even when it’s unclear or uncomfortable.
– Have you ever felt God calling you to step out in faith, even when you weren’t sure what your purpose was? How did you respond?
– When life feels uncertain or you’re questioning your purpose, what does saying “Here I am” to God look like?
1. Isaiah 6:8– Isaiah hears God’s question: “Whom shall I send?” His immediate response is, Hineni—Here am I. Send me! This response shows Isaiah’s willingness to trust God completely, even when his own understanding of his purpose was unclear.
– What does it mean to truly say “Here I am” to God, especially when you’re struggling with your purpose or feeling like you have none?
2. Isaiah 6:9-10– God gives Isaiah a difficult mission: to deliver a message to people whose hearts are hard and unwilling to listen. This reminds us that obedience to God’s call isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. When we say hineni, we may not know the full scope of the mission, but our willingness to trust Him gives us purpose in the journey.
– How can we remain faithful to God’s call, even when the task seems daunting or when we don’t understand how it connects to our purpose?
Hineni Reflection
1. Provide each woman with a small piece of paper and a pen.
2. Ask them to write the word Hineniin the center of the heart.
3. Around the word, have them write areas of their life where they feel God is calling them to say, “Here I am.” Examples might include:
– Trusting God with their family
– Sharing their faith
– Stepping out in a new ministry
– Letting go of fear and surrendering control
– Embracing new opportunities, even when unsure of the purpose
4. Afterward, invite them to share (if they feel led) one area they’ve written down and how they plan to respond to God’s call.
– How does understanding hineni change your perspective on finding and responding to God’s call, especially when you feel like you lack purpose?
– What is one step you can take this week to say “Here I am” to God, even when you’re unsure of where He’s leading you?
Closing Prayer
Lord, You are holy, and You call us to Your work, even when the path isn’t easy, and when we question our purpose. Today, we say Hineni—here we are. Send us where You want us to go, and help us respond with faith, courage, and surrender. Open our hearts to Your will, and strengthen us to trust You fully, even when we feel uncertain. Use us for Your glory and to fulfill the purpose You’ve set before us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
