Endings and new beginnings (Isaiah 6:1-9)

A little over six months ago, my father passed away – the day previous to that, I finished up at my workplace – a few weeks after that I decided to stop attending a church that I had been at for 28 years – but even as this was all happening, I knew that these endings would produce new beginnings – just like Isaiah…

In the first nine verses of Isaiah 6, I see a process here – firstly, the king dies – and sometimes, things in our lives have to end in order to make room for something new – sometimes we can control these endings; sometimes God controls them – but there will be a new beginning…

The second thing that happens is that Isaiah has a vision – a new revelation of who God is – and what an amazing vision it is – a vision of God in all His glory – and His robe fills the temple – our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), so in the same way God should be filling us.

Next Isaiah is aware of his sin, his humanness - and he falls on his face and humbles himself before God – and God responds to his humility by cleansing him – but even this cleansing process is difficult and painful – the angel had to use tongs to pick up the live coal – it was hot! – but the angel touches Isaiah’s lips with it – that would hurt! – a live coal on your lips – ouch!!! – but it is all part of the cleansing process that Isaiah is going through.

Then God speaks: ‘Whom shall I send?’ – and finally, Isaiah is ready, and he responds: ‘Here I am, send me!’ – and God says ‘Go’ – the process is complete!

Something ends, we receive a new vision, we see God, God fills us, we humble ourselves, God cleanses us, we are willing, God says ‘go’.

But there’s something else going on through this whole process – the angels are praising God, glorifying Him – and throughout this process in our lives, God is being glorified – it’s not for us, it’s for God.

So, if anyone reading this is feeling the pain of an ending in their life, I encourage you in this – seek God for a greater vision, allow yourself to be filled with His Spirit, humble yourself before Him, allow Him to cleanse You, be willing to do what He asks of You, and be ready because He will send you – and it is all, always, for His glory!!!