Facing the challenge

Then one of the creatures flew down to me, carrying a burning coal that he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with the burning coal and said, ‘This has touched your lips, and now your guilt is gone, and your sins are forgiven.’ Then I heard the Lord say, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’ I answered, ‘I will go! Send me!’ (verses 6-8)

Read Isaiah 6:1-13

‘Here I am, send me.’ How many times have Christians echoed Isaiah’s words throughout the centuries: the apostles, religious leaders, missionaries as they left their homeland. I have friends who have taken up new challenges on the basis of these words, and, yes, I have even used them myself.

Did Isaiah know what he was saying? Did he know how hard it would be? If he could have foreseen the hardship and suffering ahead of him, would he have still gone? Isaiah went with the conviction that comes from having seen God and the knowledge that he was sent by God. That’s what made the difference for him, and that’s what can make the difference for you and me.

With Isaiah you can face the challenges of each new day with the words ‘Here I am, send me’, knowing that the God who sent, strengthened and upheld his people in the past will also strengthen and uphold you.

Give me the courage, Lord, to say ‘Here I am, send me’ and the assurance that as you send me you will also walk with me.  Amen.

by Anne Maczkowiack in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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