Today’s post features guest contributor, Erin Thompson. I am blessed to serve alongside her in women’s ministry. If you would like to read more of Erin’s writing, visit her blog at erinnicolethompson.com. She provides Real Words to Renew, Refresh, and Re-envision Today’s Women.
As I stood on a stage in an empty room, staring out at vacant chairs. Practicing the words that would come out of my mouth. I encountered the Divine.
As I prayed, I felt God’s presence fill the space around me. I dropped to my knees as tears streamed down my face. I felt led to read Isaiah 6.
“It was the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!’ Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.” Isaiah 6:1-4 NLT
I paused, eyes drawn to the radiant sunset outside the church windows. The holiness of the space and encounter amplified by the light ray’s refracted through the room. As the sun’s beams reflected off the dust particles in the air, I could envision the smoke like in Isaiah’s vision.
I was overwhelmed. It felt real. The power and the presence of the Almighty God in that moment – undeniable.
I continued to read…
“Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us? I said, Here I am. Send me.’” Isaiah 6: 8 NLT
My spirit felt the Lord asking myself the same question. My response mirrored Isaiah’s. Here I am. Unworthy. Unclean. But willing. Willing to step out of my comfort zone for His glory. Send me.
There is so much more in the first 8 verses of Isaiah 6, but there was one conclusion I wanted to share. Like Isaiah, when we encounter God, we receive our calling. We will know our life’s purpose, when we seek His face.
God has specific plans for us that are good and full of hope, not disaster. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT) But we often get stuck wondering if we are pursing the right thing.
Purse God’s presence and your purpose will likely be placed before you.
Like Isaiah, when we encounter the Almighty God in all His glory, we will come to know His voice. We will see where His presence goes before us. And He will begin to stir in us a faith and courage to follow wherever He leads.
For no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT
Pursue His presence. Know He has a vital purpose for your life. And follow Him into the place of its fulfillment.
Note: This series of devotionals reflect on concepts and truths presented in Undaunted, a Bible study by Christine Caine. The devotionals are written by Deb Hoang, Erin Nicole Thompson, and Tracy Stella, as noted.