Be Somebody Because You Are

REFLECTIONS
February 28, 2010

I have a colleague (now retired) whose father was a well known minister in another part of the country. My friend said he struggled with a sense of call, and then one day while on a college retreat, he became certain of his call by God to become a minister. On his next trip home he went to his father and told him of his call and his dad said, “Son do anything else if you can.” When my colleague shared this story, a fair number of those in the room did not understand why his father wasn’t overjoyed. Then the man said, “He simply wanted me to be sure, for if I wasn’t, the heartbreak would be devastating spiritually.” Like his father this fellow was an active Methodist minister for nearly five decades.

Isaiah 6:1-6, (9-13) is the call of Isaiah. There is somewhat of a formulae for the calling of an individual by God. God contacts either through angels or in person. The person demurs saying they cannot do what God is asking. This short list is: I’m too old, or young, I’m a woman, or I don’t speak well. For Isaiah, it is that he is one of ‘unclean lips,’ meaning he is a resolute sinner. The final action in the call involves God touching the person literally or spiritually and then reemphasizing the holy claim upon them. In this passage the lips of the prophet are touched and make him clean and thus worthy of becoming a mouthpiece for God.

To serve God is a tremendous gift, but the burden of such service is an individual awareness of human limitations while engaged in the work of so called holy thought and action. It is no wonder that to be called takes some convincing. For we all have our share of fears and doubts. The French author, Anatole France said of fears limiting our efforts; “To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” As for our limitations and shortcomings the late Sir Winston Churchill said it best with the phrase, “We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glow-worm.” The message therein, be it a call from God, a word from Isaiah, or thought provoking aphorisms from world leaders or artists is straightforward and direct. Be somebody, because we already are. Whether we feel like it or not in the name of love with potential and hope beyond measure we are each and every one of us, somebody.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601