I Am Lost - Isaiah 6

 I Am Lost

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Isaiah 6:1-8, Psalm 138 and Luke 5:1-11 (Fifth Sunday after Epiphany)

Opening Prayer.

I 

A Story… 

Years ago, I was driving back home from the grocery, and a hawk just ahead in a yard and then start taking off. It looked little odd and I couldn’t quite figure it out until I realized it was carrying a snake that it just caught. To make things worse, I had my car moonroof open and just about to drive under this combo. No matter what anyone says to you, I am not particularly fond of snakes, and I was not excited to have one drop into the car (wings or no wings, alive or not). That realization had all kinds of visions going in my head.  

I share that since our lesson references seraphs; these angelic beings are flying snakes. 

Not only are there snakes in the HB but they fly too. These however are not the sneaky and frightful but the angelic and praising God.

The king has died which means political change.

The prophet has a vision with these angelic beings. This vision reveals something about the nature of God and worship (holy holy proclamation, confession, absolution and invitation). 

That visions tells us why worship can be consoling and empowering. This shows that despite earthly changes or questions, a powerful God is present.

There is a lot here. For today, I am drawn to the verse “I am lost, for I have unclean lips…” For myself, this is one of my well worn confessional prayers. 

When change happens or when I have screwed up, our prayers may yield utter desperation or resignation because emotions are so tied up with questions.

Clearly, the prophet is humbled before God and feels unworthy. We don’t know the where or whys, but you can understand the dilemma because we have lived this experience.

How many times have we went to bed (or walked away from an experience) with a mess on our mind? How we get through anxiety or trauma is not clear to us because there is conflict, emotions or setback maybe clouding the way. Then you see something that is so awesome, you are not sure what to make of it.

Dreams and visions tell us that what we see around us does not always contain the whole truth.  That is because our physical senses don’t always communicate to us God’s continuing presence in any one specific moment. You can reflect in retrospective to see God’s presence, but in the heat of moments, our focus is somewhere else.

Dreams tell us things we want, love, cherish also things we should not do. They remind us of fears, angers, terrors and guilts. (Or what could happen if the bird drops its dinner.) Yet when I feel lost or have questions, dreams may be helpful.

The prophet has a vision of God on throne in the temple with angels praising. Sound familiar?

II

This is also a call story because the prophet is invited or “called” in this dream.

A bit of my call story.

I grew up in devout religious family and in my youth felt “called” to ministry because I loved the Gospel (especially Matthew 5 and Luke 6, coming next week). Yet as I grew older, I felt a disconnect from the Gospel teachings and an apparent lack of inclusion. The walk did not align the talk. I walked away not sure I would come back. 

Then as it were, I was involved with groups that regularly met at Plymouth. So I decided to see their idea of worship with skepticism. Turns out, it was the first time in a long time where I felt I could question God and see a place that demonstrated the Gospel’s inclusion. Then, someone came and asked if I wanted to be a deacon, then later Stephen ministry. One thing lead to another and I realized that feeling from my youth had returned. I heard God calling me. The boss is on a roll.

We Christians are often referred to as “called people” – called out like when Jesus calls Peter, James and John (and they leave everything). 

Christian joins Christ and “-ian” meaning “belonging to the party of…” Ever since I was a kid, when someone referred to “party” in this manner, I had a little inside giggle. (Just think how that could change our political “parties”) Yet. we as Christians are called together to worship together. 

That begs the question, what are we “called” to do?

A few years ago, a friend challenged “being called” because he did not feel particularly “called.” That, in his mind, refers to people set apart as leadership rather than all Christians. I wonder this point.

The term Christian came from outsiders referring to the group. The broken world likes to pit differences against each other. Yet, Christians would gather together to practice forgiveness and love for all - to embrace the Gospel that preaches to include. Thus, Christian is a community of the Gospel that transcends differences through that Gospel “calling” to serve/lead as instigators of inclusive justice rather than division.

III

That brings us to next part of this prophet’s vision- absolution via hot coal to the lips. We are reminded that whatever separates us from God, there is forgiveness - a path forward (even for you who feel unworthy / unclean). 

That is the Gospel of liberation via powerful forgiveness and of inclusion! Thus, when God asks “whom shall I send,” humble yourself before God’s love to receive forgiveness. There is no question, “…send me!”

This is a call to Gospel not just specific roles. We are, as Paul says, “many members of one body of Christ…” We have gifts distinct from each other who need each other. This “call” may be the gift of music, gift of reading, the gift of caretaking, the gift of forgiveness and yes - the gift of inclusive love.

Ultimately, despite our unworthy-ness, God calls us to forgive and to love. “Do this in remembrance of me.” Especially in our troubled world, we are “called” to be expressions of God’s love, peace, and forgiveness to all. Why? because God forgives and loves us. 

This is not just a call to full ministry but to people like my dad, who just shows up to serve in whatever way possible, like presenting military honors for veterans at funerals, even when suffering stage 4 cancer himself.

Isn’t that really what is asked here, to show up - to dignify those around us? Don’t worry about the flying snakes. You might be lost and unclean, but let God be with you and speak to you. 

Witness your divine vision, be forgiven and be called to love. Beloved, what is your answer?

Thanks Be to God