Isaiah had just had an encounter with the Lord where He saw God’s presence. It was so big, so all-encompassing that just the trailing part of His robe filled the temple. That was a really big space. He had seen and heard the angels who are in constant motion, singing praises to the Almighty. This encounter showed Isaiah his own sinfulness. I mean, when you stand in the presence of real perfection, it would be easy to see where you fall short! God provided cleansing from that sin-problem.
The first words from God came as a question asking who would go to the people and speak truth to them.
The cleansed and forgiven Isaiah didn’t hesitate. Can you imagine his hand shooting up, “Pick me! I’ll go!”?
I imagine that’s what it’s like being in the presence of the Creator. First there’s the realization that you don’t really belong, because you’re just not holy, you have issues with your eyes or mouth or mind and you fail repeatedly. Your choices are not godly, and you tell Him that. You confess that you’re not all that and a bag of chips like you’ve led others to believe.
Then you listen. You wait. You want to hear what He has to say. You want to know what He knows. You are on pins and needles, wanting to know what you’re supposed to do next.
God didn’t call Isaiah’s name and give him an assignment, He asked a question of Heaven and Isaiah was allowed to overhear it.
Like a child overhearing his parents making plans for the trip of a lifetime, Isaiah jumps in as a passionate volunteer to share the truth of God wherever God wants him to.
We need this in our lives. We do! We need that sort of encounter with God. The kind that shows us Who He is and who we are. The kind that reveals the ugliness in our lives such that we are able to confess it and experience His forgiveness and cleansing from it. The kind that sets our mind on serving Him for a lifetime.
Let’s ask God for that encounter. It likely won’t look like Isaiah’s, but I believe God will honor our heartfelt request to know Him. (Jeremiah 29:13) Once we’ve experienced that crushing realization that we’re nowhere near perfect and confessed that fact to God, let’s listen to hear where He wants us and jump on the opportunity to be who He designed us to be.
Are you ready?
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
