A Hard Call

"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!” - Isaiah 6:8

Isaiah is a book full of hard truths and interesting prophesies. As we've explored this book, it's been interesting to look at how it all ties together with the New Testament and the journey we're on. It's tied in beautifully with the idea of finding our "Yes" to God, too.

But what happens after yes? A lot of times we focus on the moment of saying yes and then move on. But so much happens after yes — good and bad — that it's worth considering.

That's what happens in Isaiah 6 following Isaiah's yes. He says yes in Isaiah 6:8, but that's not the end of the story. There are 60 chapters that follow and plenty of challenges for Isaiah. But he remained committed to the call in his life.

God even offers a warning of what's to come as chapter 6 concludes. While we tend to focus on verses 1-8, there is a lot that follows that gives Isaiah an impression of what to expect.

He said, “Go and tell this people:

“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;

    be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’

Make the heart of this people calloused;

    make their ears dull

    and close their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

    hear with their ears,

    understand with their hearts,

and turn and be healed.”

Then I said, “For how long, Lord?”

And He 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 6:9-13

Isaiah had plenty to consider. And he knew he was going to be in it for the long haul. It wasn't easy and it wasn't fun, but it was necessary.

That's true of the Yeses we get in our lives often, too. Including the Yes of conversion. I love how Donald Miller talks about it, noting that we often portray the moment of saying Yes to Jesus as the end of the story, when it's really the beginning of a long, sometimes challenging journey.

We see that in Isaiah, and we see that in our own lives. The question is how will we respond.