Call vision

By Roy Stetler
May 26, 2024

Isaiah’s call vision (Isaiah 6) is a moment in which he is fully aware.  He is aware of his own broken self and people.  He is also aware of God’s compassionate response to his confession.  He is forgiven by the action of a fiery angel.

In that moment of clarity, God asks a question which Isaiah overhears, “Whom shall I send?  Who will go for us?” to which Isaiah responds, “Here am I, send me.”

Today we can find freedom from guilt and sin by looking to Jesus on the cross as he gives himself up for love, for forgiveness, for peace, for the least, for all.  Christians have so identified Christ with God’s mission of peace for humanity that every scripture which relates to the redemption, salvation, mercy, and the love of God passes for us through the lens of Jesus Christ.   Christ saves us as the burning coal from God’s altar of mercy saves Isaiah.  Jesus is the Action and Presence of God’s grace.

A version of my vision story extends the first 20 years of my life.  The first several congregations that loved, valued, and knew me by name imprinted on me the love and mercy of God.  They proclaimed in conversation and worship a fiery Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer who intimately judges with a fierce love that exchanges hope for despair.

During this week of remembering, I challenge you to give further thought to your own call vision story, in which God in Christ has called you to share the good news of God’s grace, mercy, and peace through words and actions.  Gratefully,