CXXXVIII
The Whole Earth is Full of God’s Glory
(8/10)
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts;
The whole earth is full of God’s glory. (Isaiah 6:3; read Isaiah 6:1-8)
During a time of national crisis, Isaiah retreats to the Jerusalem Temple seeking a moment of peace and quiet. The world is too much with him, and he simply needs a spiritual “time out” to recalibrate his personal GPS. Not expecting anything but a few moments of relief, he is astounded when he has a vision of God. All heaven breaks loose as he sees God on his throne and the angelic chorus, singing “Holy, Holy, Holy” and chanting “the whole is full of God’s glory.” Glory everywhere, the planet chockful of revelation.
Utterly stunned, Isaiah recognizes his ethical and cosmic nothingness in relationship to the wondrous universality of God, the creator of heaven and earth. God is great, the universe is grand; and he is so small and inconsequential. God is perfect in love and his sin is ever before him.
“Woe is me,” he cries out in awe and confession. In response, God cleanses Isaiah’s lips, restoring his spirit, and then asks, “Whom shall we send and who shall go for us?” Though Isaiah has the freedom to say “no,” it is clear that at this moment, God is addressing only him. Isaiah is the only one in the community gathered who encounters the divine. The God of the universe needs “insignificant” Isaiah to achieve his vision.
Carl Jung placed the Latin words “Bidden or unbidden, God is present” above his study door. God is always here and sometimes we notice!
When God calls, we are given a task. Whom will God send? Isaiah was called to be a prophet to the nation, calling the nation to God’s vision of Shalom. Like Isaiah, we are called moment by moment – and sometimes we notice – to experience the wonders of creation and then take our place as God’s healing companions in healing the earth, beginning where we are.
Today, let us rejoice in the beauty of the universe, God’s presence everywhere, and our challenge to see God’s glory in all things.
Take a moment to listen to “Come and Find the Quiet Center” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV_ytdItJ5U
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Awaken me, O God, to the beauty of the earth. Awaken me to the wonders of creation and our own lives. Let me listen to the call of the moment and respond with grace and peace. Amen.
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Bruce Epperly is a Cape Cod Pastor, Professor, and Author of other 50 books including HOPE BEYOND PANDMEMIC, GOD ONLINE: A MYSTIC’S GUIDE TO THE INTERNET, PROCESS THEOLOGY: EMBRACING ADVENTURE WITH GOD, and CHURCH AHEAD: MOVING FORWARD WITH CONGREGATIONAL SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
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