Here I am, Lord

In this compact phase is much of what it means to be God's child; God's servant; God's heir; God's hands and feet.

By reaching upward and outward and declaring you are here and receptive, it means you are poised to listen for direction or connection, your eyes are open and seeking God's direction, and your heart is softened enough to accept gladly God's will.

..."Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven" points to the foundation of this new heaven and earth in which the Kingdom of God is built in one's heart. From that foundation all things are possible; all boundaries can be crossed, all obstacles can be overcome, or at least can be grappled with. And so, among the many messages, needs, wonderings, and seeking that makes up one's week and worship experience, or even comprises one's entire life course, the part about opening one's heart is perhaps the most important, with everything else the detail and furniture that can be moved around that space in one's heart. Thus the study of Greek, the peculiarities of translation between languages and historical periods, the exercise of servanthood and making offerings, etc all follow from the basic goal of changing one's heart from "zero sum game" or "homo economicus" (mere consumer units whose purpose is to "maximize utility") to the heart that Jesus exhibited for disciples and those who met him: a place where "giving to Caeser what is Caeser's" can co-exist with "God's Kingdom here on Earth." If we all could see past the texture, rhythm, flavor and habits of Order of Worship, denominational differences, and customs in one's own family ways, then perhaps in some small way hearts could shift from the worldview trained up in classrooms, online and found in movies or TV. Instead there could be a growing fraction of the wider society that sees connection, not separation between one and all; and sees service in kindness as the highest calling, not reaching a high net worth to pass on to others at death.

In the outbursting of "here I am, Lord" is the posture and the heart that is eager to seize God within one's daily routines and the lives one touches along the way. Stumbling over the meaning of trinity, the interplay of faith and works, the mercy and justice, as well as suffering and joy, instead we should dwell on the things that improve (and minimize the things that distract or harden) one's heart. It is, after all, and ultimately a Gospel of the heart; a kingdom within you and me.