by Chris Nikkel
There have been many times in my life when I saw something that solidified in me a belief in God. I can remember being in high school and camping out in my backyard and looking up at the stars. The thought of a God creating everything became crystal clear in those moments. When I was in college I lost a family member that was very close to me. At the funeral I couldn’t help but think of where she was as I sat there. This was the first person I knew that was now in heaven. I was renewed in belief and inspired to live differently. These are people or things that God has used to help me understand more about Him.
Knowing about someone or something is nice. Knowing with respect to firsthand experience is something completely different. Isaiah’s vision was not about God; it was of God. He was given a vision of God as He is and has always been. His response was understandable: “Woe is me!” with regard to his position before God and “Here am I, send me!” as a result of the love, mercy, and purposes of God.
What would be your response? Or more accurately, what is your response? Isaiah was called. His response was complete availability.
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus in Mark 8:34