Available to God // Isaiah 6:8

Today’s verse is one that has meant a lot to me in my life and ministry. The picture Isaiah paints is extraordinary as he tries to reconcile God’s call on his life with his own inadequacies. Can you relate? We read that as Isaiah first came to grips with his own sinfulness. An angel came to the soon-to-be-prophet with a piece of coal, touching it to his lips. The hot coal symbolized how God purified Isaiah by removing his guilt and forgiving his sins. It was not the coal, but God working through it. Isaiah was purified and felt compelled to carry God’s message to others, and committed to do so by making himself available to the Lord. It was God working the entire time.

God wants to use you to help carry His message of salvation to our lost and lonely world. You might feel that the things you’ve done or said disqualify you. They don’t; in fact, God will use your messes to promote His message! His forgiveness is perfect, removing your guilt so you can deliver a message of hope. You might think you don’t know what to say. Let me assure you that you need not go to Bible college, seminary, or some other credentialing institution to be used by God; nope, just make yourself available and be willing to be used. Jesus told the disciples when they fretted about what to say when the time came that the Holy Spirit would give them the words (Luke 12:12). The same is true for you and me.

So make yourself available to God. Allow Him to purify your life as He forgives your sins and removes your guilt. Now, with a renewed sense of purpose, declare to God, “Here I am. Send me.” Then, go.

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Photo Credit: YouVersion Bible App