Daily Devotion – June 4, 2021 – Pastor Erick Thompson

Isaiah 6:1-8

6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2 Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4 The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”

Have you ever seen how excited some kids get to be picked to go on stage when there’s a magician? The kids who get excited have arms that pretty much come out of their sockets as they try to will themselves to be picked. Now, imagine a group of adult church members trying to decide who will take charge of something; usually someone who isn’t there to say, “no” gets “volun-told” that they get to do it.

When God asks us, “Whom shall I send?” our answer is usually, “well, that’s the Pastor’s job.” You’re absolutely right, but also wrong at the same time. We are all being called. You have a unique and wonderful gift of being God’s beloved child. And, as a child of God, you can answer this call and bring good news to those who need it. When we were baptized, God claimed each of us as a child of God, and also made us part of the family business: you are now part of God’s mission.

And, here’s the best part: it can be as easy as simply praying for people. Remember the example of the magician? Well, the kids who don’t want to be picked are just as important as the kids who are picked. The magician needs the audience for the trick to work; needs people who are willing to believe that magic is possible. Well, the church needs people who believe in the mission; believe in the mission enough to set aside a few minutes each day to simply pray. We don’t have to all go to seminary to be part of God’s redeeming work in the world. As we pray, we open ourselves to what God has in store for us, and God is up to some pretty amazing things. Our prayers are support for the ministry of church, and they are the simplest way of saying, “Here I am; send me.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you choose us and call us to proclaim your good news to all the world. Help us see the many ways we can be part of your mission of love and peace. Amen.