Hineni (הִנֵּנִי)

Recently, a Messianic Jewish woman was driving through Matthews, NC, when she noticed hope*books bookstore. The Holy Spirit nudged her to look up their published books, and she found Breathless Haste. Even before reading it, she reached out to me, and we met over Zoom.

She shared her beautiful but difficult story—her love for her two daughters, one with special needs, and the pain of losing her husband. She became a believer years ago after hearing Billy Graham. Later, she wrote to say that our book had touched her soul—and that it reflected the Hebrew word Hineni.

Hineni (הִנֵּנִי) means “Here I am.”
It’s a declaration of presence and surrender—of saying “I’m all in,” even without knowing the full task ahead. Abraham said it. Moses said it. Isaiah said it. It’s a word of trust and obedience.

I would never compare myself to Abraham, Moses, or Isaiah, but they obeyed before they fully understood.

As I reflect on our own journey—moving to Chicago for Jay’s midlife call to ministry, my saying yes to seven years of developing the Life Story materials, serving in Malawi for over sixteen years, returning South for Jay’s role at Peachtree Church, and my reluctant yes to serve on staff and later to write our book—I see how often we’ve simply said yes without knowing where it would lead.

Where have you said to God, “Here I am,” not knowing the outcome?
When have you responded to His call with a willing heart?

God still calls us—sometimes in whispers, sometimes in unexpected nudges. Our Hineni moments may or may not be dramatic, but they shape the story of our faith. What might God be inviting you to say yes to today?