Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it, he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 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!”
On a cold winter Sunday, people gathered in the sanctuary of God. It was just another normal day they thought. They were ready to sing the same old songs, read out the liturgy, listen to the sermon, greet friends, and head back home to rest and start their weekly routine. Suddenly, they saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne. The train of His robe filled the sanctuary. They also could see terrifying six-winged creatures trembling at His presence. 'Begin' He said. The choir-master frantically signaled the musicians to play the prelude. "What song?" whispered the pianist. "Holy, Holy, Holy" suggested a choir member. The drummer set the tempo. The instruments didn't harmonize at all, for they were all shivering while they played. The congregation opened the hymn books and started singing. Many of them were just gasping for breaths. Very few dared to lift their hands up. There were few on the knees, filled with tears. Who expects God to literally turn up to a service and say 'Begin'? The song barely got over. God said, 'Let's hear the scriptures being read and asked the person to come close to the altar to read'. "Woe! not me!" he replied, "I'd be ruined to come that close to you". One of the seraphim flew with a live coal in his hand. The people were used to the gentle pastorly declaration of forgiveness. Many ran away from the church at the thought of live coal touching them. A remnant remained. God asked for a reading of Luke 10:2, and it was read. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest".
Then the Lord stood in the pulpit and began sharing His heart and His burden. When I bring the judgment against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the judgment coming against the land, he is to blow the trumpet to warn the people. So, hear the word I speak and give them a warning from me. Whom shall I send to be a watchman? I have indeed seen the affliction of My people. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing. Whom shall I send to shepherd my people? I have other sheep that are not yet in the fold. I will make you fishers of men. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age Whom shall I send to reach out to the lost? I am sending you like sheep among the wolves. Therefore be shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Many of my servants will face persecution for My namesake. Yet, I have also placed some of my people in positions of authority. I have placed them in market places, in places of influence. I have placed them there for my purpose and my mission. They should not remain silent, trying to save their own skin. I expect them to support my missionaries, to stand at the gap and intercede for them, to use their influence for the extension of my kingdom. Whom shall I send to stand at the gap? *
There was silence. A long awkward silence. Few of them were uncomfortable with the silence and wished and signaled that the church leaders do something about it. Someone called for music to be played and called for the congregation to pray silently and then respond. Few among the congregation were puzzled and upset. They thought that through this vision of God they will get peace and comfort from their lives' burden. But here is God sharing His burden and asking them to take part. This is not what we signed up for they thought. Benny Moses, a CEO of a Tupperware industry was praying, "Lord, I know that Ezekial Williams fits well to be a watchman! Lord, please send him. I too will go and suggest him after the service". Meanwhile, Esther Liam, a homemaker and a woman active in her social circles prayed, "Lord, I know that Michelson Peter fits so well to reach out to the lost. He sings well. He is an excellent speaker. I wonder why he is not reaching out. He seems to be focused only on his life. I pray Lord that you should open his eyes, and send him". Ezekial Williams, an old man in his sixties was praying, "Lord, I have been trying to mentor Esther Liams for a long time now. It is high time that she takes lead and uses her influence. She could be a great prayer warrior. Thank you, for using me to mentor this person. I will continue to guide her. Lord, I am sure that you can send her". Finally, Peter was also found sitting in a corner and thinking how well Benny Moses fits the role of a shepherd. But he was too irritated with him. He wasn't sure that Benny would take time from his busy schedule and do any shepherding. Lord, break him and use him for Your glory, he prayed. "Send him, send her" was the silent reply from the congregation. The glory of the Lord left the sanctuary. The people went out baffled by the experience. They were so happy to have experienced the glory of God! What an amazing day they thought to themselves. They were sure God was going to send somebody to do His work.
*Ez 33: 2,3,7, Ex 3:7, Jer 23:2,3, John 10:16 Matt 4:19, 28:19, 10:16
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