"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips." (Isa. 6:5)
Expanded Passage: Isaiah 6:4-5
I grew up the third born in a family of seven boys. We were privileged to have parents who diligently sought to bring us up in the fear of the Lord at all costs, which meant attending Sunday school every weekend.
Because I was raised in a very traditional church, there were parts of the sanctuary we kids were not allowed to play around. The off-limit areas included the main front stage where the pastor stood as well as a covered baptism pool. It was unstated though widely known that only God’s holy servants were allowed to stand in that place and speak on behalf of God. Moreover, I was made to believe that the pastor or anyone who stood at that altar had to be “pure” or they would die by merely standing there.
When the Lord called me into ministry leadership years later, I was immediately confronted with these beliefs from my past. I carried an underlying sense of being ruined and unworthy to both lead and speak for the righteous God. Thankfully, as we see in today’s passage, we are redeemed by the righteousness of Christ. Our sins are atoned for. Yes, we were unworthy, but Christ has become our righteousness and draws us near to God. Our once unclean lips can now be an instrument of praise and proclamation of his Word to the nations.
Don’t let how you see yourself hinder you from serving God.
Jim Machuku is an ordained minister, lead pastor, and educator. He is passionate about leadership development and community transformation.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
