Answering the Call

This week my daughter came home from school with a Bible verse that stopped me in my tracks:

Isaiah 6:8

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’”

This verse is powerful because it captures the moment when the prophet Isaiah willingly accepts his calling, even though he knows it won’t be easy.

When I read the verse, the first thing I thought of was all of you on the front lines of nonprofits. Serving difficult populations isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. It takes courage, compassion, and the willingness to raise your hand and say, “Send me.”

Do you realize your role is one of the most important positions in our entire community? I’m serious. Think about the demographic you serve:

The disabled.
The elderly.
The sick.
The poor.
The homeless.
The hungry.
The weak.
The helpless.

Now, imagine a community without your organization in it. The outlook isn’t good, is it?

And imagine your organization without your vision guiding it. It wouldn’t be nearly as driven or impactful, would it?

From the sidelines, I see what you’re up against: difficult board members, shrinking budgets, apathetic staff, donor drop-off, and the lack of appreciation that often comes with this work.

And yet, you continue to show up.

You continue to answer the call.

And if this is the only “thank you” you hear today, know that our community would not be as strong without you.

Thank you.

Thank you for being willing and for giving your best even when you know it won’t be easy. Because of you, lives are changed, families are supported, and our community is stronger.

Something to consider:

Perhaps YOU were chosen for such a time as this.

Think about that today as you continue to lead your organization with courage, vision, and direction.