“Pick me! Pick me!”
by Heather Gutman
Every once in awhile, especially when I get weary in well doing I need to be reminded why I do certain things. The call of Isaiah never fails to remind me of the spiritual revival God has for each of us throughout our journey.
Isaiah is a multi-generational, lifelong follower of God. He has heard about God from his first breath and as an adult begins to work for God. Prior to his "call" in Chapter 6, he is already delivering messages on God's behalf. But at a time of national crisis and insecurity, God opens Isaiah's eyes to greater things.
Isaiah sees a vision of coming into the presence of God. He looks all around to figure out where he is, noting God on the throne of heaven. How awe-inspiring. But added to the picture, he sees beautiful, perfect beings paying the highest homage to God.
Suddenly Isaiah catches the true picture of himself in relation to God and these perfect beings. He sees his sinfulness, his inadequacy, his utter worthlessness in relation to the perfection, power and might displayed before him. He groans, "Woe is me, for I am undone! I am in the very presence of the God of the universe and I am so absolutely unworthy." There are no words to express this profound spiritual insight.
In the midst of Isaiah's hopelessness, one of the beings brings a coal from the altar, touches his lips and pronounces him forgiven, atoned, guiltless. Nothing Isaiah did prompts this action; it is an act of pure grace. Instantly, he feels the load of guilt and hopelessness removed; he understands the plan of salvation and restoration God has been trying to communicate to Israel for centuries. He knows, in a way he has never known, the depth of true repentance and the power of God's grace.
While Isaiah is still savoring this new-found grace, God says, "I have a job I need done. Who will do it?" Isaiah could have given Moses' initial response to God's call, "get someone else, I'm not qualified." Instead, without hesitation, Isaiah raises his hand, "Send me!"
God advises that this assignment will be difficult. People will not want to hear, will not want to be helped. Isaiah wonders aloud how long the assignment will last but gets a very unsatisfying answer, "until the plan is done." However, God doesn't leave him hopeless. He tells Isaiah that despite the appearance of total loss, there will be a "holy seed" left.
At times when I want to quit because I'm tired or things are working out the way I expect, if I stop and see myself in Isaiah's place, I again catch the true vision of myself. This is so humbling that I find myself crying out just as he did. Without fail, when the hopelessness threatens, I see Jesus dying for my sins and offering me forgiveness and restoration. Then when I hear the Holy Spirit whispering about something God is calling me to do, despite the difficulties I'm like the eager young student volunteering. I'm waving my hand, jumping up and down, saying "Pick me! Pick me!"
Comments
Re: "Pick me! Pick me!"
On April 3rd, 2011 Jeff_Boyd says:
Thanks, Trish. May the vision remain clear and our commitment high.
Re: "Pick me! Pick me!"
On April 3rd, 2011 pat travis says:
Jeff and Trish,
It seems to me that before the "pick me" is the realization…"woe is me for I am undone." This is repentance and Justification by faith "alone" in a nutshell.
Then comes sanctification/growth in holiness and the possibility of usefulness.
regards,
pat
Re: "Pick me! Pick me!"
On April 28th, 2011 Melinda22 says:
Brilliant and excellent post. I really like it. Thanks. eczema treatment
