Today’s Reading, Isaiah 4-8
Focal Scripture: Isaiah 6:8 “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.”
Do you like to travel? I do, but I like to go places that have meaning. For instance, when we go on vacation I want to travel to a location that has history. A place that things can be done that do not require lots of money. This is why I like to travel to the Smokey Mountains. It allows me to see things and do things that could be considered once in a lifetime opportunities. For instance, a few years ago I got to see the sunset and Clingmans Dome. I got to experience that with my son and it was something that neither one of will forget.
In today’s reading Isaiah is in the presence of the Lord. He sees the Lord high and lifted up, he even has an encounter with an angel that puts a hot coal on his lips. However, the part of this encounter that should get everyone’s attention is when the trinity asks the question “Who will I send? Who will go for us?” The Lord had travel plans ready he just needed a person. To Isaiah’s credit he volunteers to be the person who would be obedient to the Lord.
Isaiah wanted to be sent. Isaiah wanted to be obedient. Isaiah wanted to be used be the Lord. This meant he would do whatever and go wherever the Lord commanded. He wanted to be on the front lines. Isaiah was willing to be the Lord’s instrument of truth and justice.
The challenge that we have as believers is to be radically obedient to the call on our lines. Far too often people say they will follow the Lord anywhere but when it comes to making the decision to be obedient they cower away because of fear or other people opinions.
I know of one person who hi was clearly directed by the Holy Spirit to go to seminary and follow the Lord’s calling in his life. However, he allowed others to talk him out of going. Even though he was clearly convicted to go, he allowed other peoples opinions to override obedience.
My hope and prayer for you is that you will never allow the world or even friends keep you from being obedient. Your heart must have a desire to say “here I am send me, not somebody else.” To many people will tell you out of radical obedience because it doesn’t make sense to them.
As believers we are only obedient to one person and his name is God. So today go where the Lord has called you and don’t let others distract you from the mission at hand. This is a clear sign of biblical obedience even in the midst of poor advice.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Amos 1-5
