One man who did not draw a line in the sand was Isaiah. His heart was willing without any reservations. He set no limits on what He would or would not do, or where he would or would not go for God. Isaiah chapter six reveals that willing heart when God calls.
He was in the temple and saw a vision. "I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew" (vv. 1-2). As they flew one cried out, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory" (v. 3). Then Isaiah noticed that "the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke" (v. 4).
What a scene it was. Isaiah must have been astonished at what he saw, and greatly elated at the same time. At some point he spoke to the Lord with a humble heart, saying, "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts" (v. 5).
He then continues describing the scene: "Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar" (v. 6). He touched Isaiah's mouth with the hot coal and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged" (v. 7).
Then came the critical moment—God's call. The Lord spoke to Isaiah and said, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" (v. 8a). Then Isaiah, with a willing heart, said, "Here am I! Send me" (v. 8b). He was in the temple, serving the Lord. He was likely praying at that moment, searching with all his heart. And he found the Lord—or rather, the Lord found him. When God called him to take a specific message to His people, Isaiah accepted the call eagerly because he had a willing heart.
You might say that this is all fine and good, but what about me? So far it has been all about a prophet. What about us common folk. I am not a prophet. I am not even a pastor or anything like that. I am a person in the pew at church. I am a layman seeking to live my life for Jesus. How does this apply to me?
When God speaks to us through His Word, or directly to our hearts and minds, we would do well to listen and do as He directs. God has great plans for us. "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope'" (Jer. 29:11, NASB). When we have a willing heart and listen to what the Lord says, and we discover His will and follow His plan, He will accomplish His plan and fulfill His purpose in our lives. So listen for that still small voice, read and listen to God's Word, and do as He leads. Amen.
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