Hineni Merilee
Ottoson
Pronounced (hee-neh-nee). Hineni is a Hebrew phrase meaning “Here
I am!!” Used 17 times
in the Bible, it shows a readiness to be sent somewhere physically or
spiritually. This expression is NOT the same as when you yell, “Here I am” if
someone is looking for you and can’t find you.
Picture Moses approaching the burning bush
and realizing that the voice he hears is the Lord’s…….(Exodus 3:4)
Or Abraham tending his sheep and cattle
hearing God’s voice call “Abraham!!”… . (Genesis 22:1)
And Isaiah
hearing the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?” (Isaiah 6:8)
Each
of them answered with the same words. “Hineni!!” which really means
“I’m showing up! I’m all in!” Did you
notice, however, that in all three of these examples, the men each responded
BEFORE they knew what God was asking of them! They showed unquestioning
submission to God’s call…..not even asking what they were “getting into”. In the New Testament we read about Mary, the mother
of Jesus, who was approached by the angel. What was her response at being told
she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and become the mother of Christ?
“Hineni!!”
Can we live that same way? Are we ready to say “Here I am!”
to the Lord’s prompting? I’ll be honest
with you….I failed His prompt just this past week. Right there in the clinic
waiting room. I felt His nudge, but ignored it. Will He entrust me with another
chance to listen? I hope so. I hope I do not let my heart become hardened to
His promptings……Because it’s so much easier to do easy things and things I feel
comfortable doing. He often asks for “more”…..more than we are willing to give
or become. He alone knows in what ways He can help us grow in our faith. I am
still His student. I am still learning. I’ve decided that I will practice
saying those words to myself, “Here I am!” so that I am ready for the next time
I feel His prompt.
“And Samuel said,
‘Speak for Thy servant is
listening’.”
“Hineni!” I Samuel 4:10
