Ready: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking, ‘Who will I send? Who will go for us?’ I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’” —Isaiah 6:8
Set:
Before Drew Brees became a Super Bowl champion in New Orleans, his career looked finished. In the final game of the 2005 season, Brees suffered a devastating shoulder injury with the San Diego Chargers. Doctors questioned whether he would ever throw at an elite level again. The Chargers moved on, committing to Philip Rivers as their starter. The setback felt like rejection.
In free agency, Brees wasn’t just sent to just another team—he was sent to New Orleans, a city in crisis. New Orleans was reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The Saint’s franchise was broken. The fan base was discouraged. Expectations were low. Setbacks can sometimes be a needed re-direction which becomes a calling.
God’s redirection, for Drew Brees and for Isaiah, raises a question for every believer: Are you prepared to go if called? When Isaiah answered God’s call, he didn’t negotiate terms or wait for guarantees. When God asked, “Who will go for us?” Isaiah answered simply, “Here I am. Send me.”
Isaiah’s response wasn’t impulsive. It was the voice of someone already shaped and willing to be used. God doesn’t send the most gifted—He sends those who are faithfully available. For athletes, availability shows up in preparation. Every practice matters. Every unseen discipline matters.
When you train your body, sharpen your mind and anchor your heart in faith, you’re creating habits useful for when God sends you to restore others through leadership, encouragement or hope. When God sends someone, it’s never random. The timing isn’t accidental. The placement isn’t accidental. The influence isn’t accidental. What God prepares, He sends. What God sends, He sustains.
Go:
Have you experienced a setback that later prepared you to encourage or lead someone else?
What does “Here I am. Send me.” look like for you when the assignment feels uncomfortable or unclear?
Workout:
Overtime:
“My Lord and my Coach, it’s awesome to think that the little things I do day-in and day-out prepare me to follow Jesus and serve others. I admit, I don’t feel ready. Help me be ready when You call. Amen.”