Today’s scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ciemone Easter-Rose):
Do you ever read a passage from the Bible and find yourself puzzled by its meaning and application to your life? That was my first experience with this passage. But, because I understand everything better with and through music, one of the first places I turned were to the songs that have been inspired by it. I found a few different selections right away, but the songs were as foreign to me as the passage itself. So I still had to listen to them over a few times, meditating on the lyrics, and comparing the messages between them. As I did this, I reread the passage, and gradually the messages began to seep in. If you ever struggle with scripture, this is a technique I highly recommend.
Isaiah 6 is, in part, a scripture of pure worship — a true exaltation of God’s glory (v. 3). God’s glory is so powerful that it can completely make over a lost sinner — “a man of unclean lips” (v. 5) — instantly. Isaiah describes an experience in which he found himself transformed into a worthy messenger, having had his lips touched with a burning coal (v. 6-7), and was then suddenly made clean (v. 7). Afterwards, he was no longer proclaiming himself among the lost as he had in the beginning (v. 1). Instead, now free of all of the guilt and sin with which he had been struggling, he volunteered himself as God’s messenger. That’s quite a turnaround!
The more the words of Isaiah 6 marinated with my soul, guided by the music set behind it, I found its messages penetrating deeper and deeper. The first message that we can all draw from this passage is that we may each be coming from the same place as Isaiah — as people of “unclean lips,” burdened with guilt and sin, and in need of some help. The second message is about the potential that we all have underneath the weight of all of that. Isaiah had a blemish upon himself that he felt was a barrier between him and God. Yet, when that burden was lifted, he clearly saw so much more in himself, evidenced by his willingness to volunteer to be God’s messenger. He first proclaimed his shortcomings, and then God changed his life and used him. For many of us, our own “unworthiness” can sometimes become a barrier to our own service to God as well. At times it may even be a convenient excuse that we may use to justify our own lack of effort or willingness to serve God. Isaiah 6 shows clearly though that the “I’m not worthy” defense is baseless in the face of God, who, with your simple confession, can lift your burdens and permanently change you.
Thought for the Day: Whatever it is that is standing in your way today, proclaim it before God, let it go, and allow yourself to be used according to God’s will.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.