God calls everyone

June 6, 2020

Good afternoon everyone,

" Then I said, ' For how long ?' "

Then, the Lord answered:

“Until the cities lie ruined

    and without inhabitant,

until the houses are left deserted

    and the fields ruined and ravaged,

until the Lord has sent everyone far away

    and the land is utterly forsaken.

 And though a tenth remains in the land,

    it will again be laid waste.

But as the terebinth and oak

    leave stumps when they are cut down,

    so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”     Isaiah 6: 11-13

 This is part of the call of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah says he is not worthy, he has unclean lips. Then the Lord calls out, and says whom shall I send ? And the young man says," Here I am send me ?" One of the flying seraphim glided by and took a hot coal, and put it on Isaiah's lips, and his sin was forgiven. He now had clean lips. I wish that would happen to me, or maybe I do not want that to occur. The Lord wants Isaiah to do some difficult prophecy among God's people ( see verses 12-13 ). Isaiah seems ready.

Have you been called to do anything for the Lord ? Have you had a burning bush ( Moses ) experience, where you knew it was God speaking, and God told you something, or maybe it was that you sensed what you must do. Maybe it was easy, or maybe it sounded crazy ? God does not always call us to hard stuff, but sometimes God's directions are difficult to follow in this wild world we live in. Are you called to be a farmer, a mother, a grandfather, a potluck expert, or a great friend of many people ? God has a calling on all of our lives . What do you hold most deeply in God's hands ? What is God sending you to do today ?

I was pastor at Floradale for 25 years. It was a good congregation, and it made me a better pastor because I knew that I was loved and cared for by them. While there, they gave me three sabbaticals, where I could renew my calling. They let me choose what I needed to do on sabbatical, and that would then help the church when I returned. We lived through a building project, a health crisis ( mine ) and many issues that we argued about. But, I felt called to be there for five five-year terms. When I resigned, it was tough for me. I could have continued, but I felt it was time. A seraphim did not come flying down, nor did I see a burning bush. I did not have a dream, like Mary and Joseph. That is never how I have known what God has called me to be about. But, I knew it was time to go.

Prayer        

Here I am Lord                               by Anna Page and Daniel Schutte  

I have heard my people cry

All who dwell in dark and sin

My hand will save.                             

who made the stars and night

I will make the darkness bright

Who will bear my light to them

Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord

Is it I Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night

I will go Lord

If you lead me

I will hold your people in my heart.

Shalom and strength for our journey together of life and faith.  Fred