Wednesday's thoughts

"How Do You Do a Bad Job?"

There are elements in every job we get that are good and some that are bad. How do we handle the hard parts? How do we do a bad job? How do we overcome the tough part to get the job done?

It makes me think of the prophet Isaiah who was called by God to do something that was so difficult you couldn't imagine that anyone would agree to do it.

The "Call of Isaiah" in the 6th Chapter is one of the most frequently read sections of the bible. In the year of the death of the king Isaiah was in the temple at the funeral and he heard the voice of God say, "Whom shall we send? Who will go for us?" Isaiah heard the questions and answered, "Here am I. Send me."

That text is the inspiration for one of the most popular hymns in the hymn book. It is a hymn we will sing Sunday.

Number 593
"I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
I who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright

All who dwell in dark and sin
Who will bear my light to them
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart."

In the 6th Chapter of Isaiah we hear the prophet accept the challenge but then we hear the words that say, you will say to the people what I tell you but they will not hear you. "Go, and say to this people. Listen, and listen, but never understand. Look and look but never perceive."

Isaiah is a prophet who is being asked to say some things that people don't want to hear and won't be able to hear.

It's a bad job but somebody had to do it.
The prophet must speak words nobody will hear, but the prophet has been called to do it.

Have you ever felt the need to say what nobody will hear? Do mothers have this challenge? or fathers? or bosses? or employees?

How do you do a bad job?
How do you say what nobody wants to hear?
How do you be the prophet?

Have you ever felt this?
What do you do to do what has to be done but you really would rather not do it?

If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing for others to respond click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster