Am I ready to be sent?

Definition and Scope

“Am I ready to be sent?” concerns the question of personal calling, obedience, and preparedness in a biblical sense. Throughout Scripture, individuals experience a divine commission, and readiness involves spiritual, emotional, and practical preparation. The concept appears in numerous biblical narratives, each highlighting an aspect of readiness: repentance, faith, empowerment by the Holy Spirit, and confidence in the authority of God’s Word.

Biblical Foundation of Being Sent

From Genesis onward, God consistently calls individuals into specific missions. For instance, Abraham is called to leave his homeland (Genesis 12:1–3). Isaiah responds to God’s question, “Whom shall I send?” by saying, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8). In the New Testament, Jesus commissions the disciples in what is known as the Great Commission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). These narratives form the biblical core for understanding how and why God sends His servants.

Spiritual Readiness

Being ready to be sent begins with the heart’s submission to God through faith in Christ. According to Ephesians 2:8–9, salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works. This spiritual rebirth transforms not only one’s relationship with the Creator but also one’s desires and priorities. A person asking “Am I ready to be sent?” should thus evaluate whether they genuinely have saving faith in Christ, a commitment to holiness, and an open heart to the Holy Spirit’s guidance (John 14:26).

Beyond initial salvation, spiritual readiness grows through consistent prayer, study of Scripture, and participation in the Christian community (Hebrews 10:24–25). The Berean approach (Acts 17:11) encourages testing everything against the Word of God, solidifying a believer’s confidence in both the gospel message and the God who calls them.

Practical Readiness

Although Scripture emphasizes that God’s strength is made perfect in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), it also demonstrates the importance of preparation. Paul trained under teachers well-versed in the Scriptures. Timothy, a younger minister, was exhorted to study diligently and show himself approved (2 Timothy 2:15). Even with a willing heart, a disciple who seeks to be used by God often benefits from gaining practical skills, biblical knowledge, and mentorship within the faith community.

Evidence of Divine Calling

A sense of divine calling frequently aligns with:

1. A desire to serve the Lord wholeheartedly and bring glory to His name (1 Corinthians 10:31).

2. Confirmation through prayer and counsel from wise believers (Proverbs 11:14).

3. Opportunities that open unexpectedly or in response to a faithful search (Colossians 4:2–3).

When a believer attains clarity that God has placed a burden or task on their heart, the next step often involves acting in faith while continuing to depend on Scripture for guidance (Psalm 119:105).

A Historical and Archaeological Basis for Confidence

Those who feel called should also recognize the consistency and reliability of the biblical record:

• The Dead Sea Scrolls show remarkable alignment with the Masoretic Text, confirming the preservation of the Old Testament.

• Archaeological finds such as the Tel Dan Inscription referencing the “House of David” validate key historical realities in Scripture.

• New Testament manuscripts, including fragments like P52 (John Rylands Fragment) dated to the early 2nd century, affirm that the accounts of Christ’s life and resurrection circulated reliably within the lifetime of eyewitnesses.

This solid historical framework bolsters the believer’s confidence: the God who acted through history, culminating in Christ’s resurrection, continues to act, call, and send His people.

Personal Examination and Discernment

Believers who wonder whether they are ready should ask:

1. Is my faith in Christ alone for salvation?

2. Am I growing in holiness and love for God’s Word?

3. Do I trust that the same God who designed the cosmos (Romans 1:20), performed miracles, and raised Jesus from the dead will empower me for this sending?

4. Have I sought wise guidance and tested my burden against Scripture, ensuring it aligns with God’s revealed truth?

If these marks of preparedness are present, one can move forward in confidence that God can use weakness for His glory (1 Corinthians 1:27–29).

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit

No sending is effective apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 promises believers will “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,” enabling them to be witnesses for Christ. Throughout Church history and into modern times, testimonies abound of miraculous healings, unexpected provisions, and transformed lives—all by the Spirit’s power. This same Spirit emboldens believers to fulfill God’s calling.

Reflections from Creation and Intelligent Design

Observing the natural world can also remind believers that the God who “stretched out the heavens” (Isaiah 42:5) is both powerful and personal, capable of guiding every step of life’s journey. Geological examples, when interpreted through a young-earth lens, highlight a catastrophic global Flood (Genesis 7) that reshaped the planet in dramatic ways, pointing to a majestic Creator. This sense of wonder at creation can fortify determination to carry out God’s mission.

Integration of Faith and Readiness

Beyond scientific considerations or textual evidence, readiness to be sent involves seamlessly integrating faith, knowledge, and obedience. Ancient writers like Josephus and Tacitus mention Jesus’ influence, corroborating the New Testament accounts. The eyewitness claims of the disciples, along with the “minimal facts approach” (noted in scholarship focusing on the resurrection), affirm that belief in the resurrected Christ is historically defensible. If that same resurrected Christ commands His followers to “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), then readiness must include confidence in the risen Lord’s authority and trustworthiness.

Conclusion: Affirmation of Calling

All believers who have experienced salvation in Christ are, in a real sense, called. The readiness question hinges on spiritual maturity, willingness, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. While it is natural to wonder if one is “good enough,” Scripture repeatedly shows that God uses the faithful rather than the perfect. The pressing question becomes not whether God can use us, but whether our hearts are willing to answer, like Isaiah, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

Anyone examining this question should:

• Confirm salvation and trust in Christ’s finished work.

• Cultivate a consistent walk in Scripture, prayer, and biblical community.

• Seek the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, trusting His guidance.

• Embrace the solid historical and archaeological underpinnings of Scripture, recognizing the God of history still moves today.

When these elements align, one can proceed assured that God equips those He calls. Therefore, the readiness to be sent ultimately rests not on personal adequacy, but on the faithfulness of the One who sends.