Some Further Thoughts Isaiah.

Some further thoughts Isaiah.

Dear Isaiah,

I have been giving some further thoughts after sending you my first letter. I finished discussing. I was thinking further about the idea of accepting forgiveness. Talked about all the time by so many but look at us, so unlike you who sees the need and accepts.  You had a new beginning, the new beginning so many Christians speak about.

The reality is very different. They trudge down to the Church for their time of worship, as I said in my last communication no expectations almost just going through the process. They make their way there, just as I did burdened down with the mistakes of the past lying heavily on their shoulders. Get to the door of the church and unlike you when you arrived at the temple where you took your burdens with you, then deposit them at the door ready to be lifted on the way back out. Plenty of talk about forgiveness being given and received but mostly just theory.

How we need to learn from you, Isaiah.  You accepted forgiveness, you offered yourself in service and did not turn your back on the challenge you were given.

You were told to go and preach and teach people who were not going to listen. Not an easy task at all, in fact almost an impossible mission. You did not turn to your God and say, "Wait a minute Lord that is a very difficult thing you are asking me to do." You never for one minute made excuses about your inability to accomplish the task. No, you said, "Here I am, send me."

I think we need to give some serious thought to this Isaiah. We Christians claim to follow Jesus, we say that we have been called to take up the cross and follow him. But the reality is, or so it seems, we will follow as long as the road is not too difficult, the burden not too great. We will take up the cross, as long as it is not to heavy or makes us feel uncomfortable. We will follow until following gets in the way of us doing what it is we really want to be doing. So unlike you Isaiah, a man who never asked about the cost, "here I am, send me."

You did ask, "For how long?' The reply left you feeling that there was no set time span, it was not a case of go and preach and teach for a short term then retire, not it was to be a lifetime mission. There was to be no compromise of the message either, you were to tell it as it was. There was to be no seeking of popularity, no desire to be loved and lauded, to be a celebrity. It was all about standing up and being counted.

How often have I in my life promised to do what I knew to be the right thing but the moment the going got tough I got going. Not in the direction I had meant to but rather, to the easy way.

 I, and I know many others, we see things we do not like. Hear things we do not agree with. Watch as people abuse and walk over others. Act as if the only thing that matters is their happiness and do nothing at all about. I pass by on the other side. Keeping the peace I say, but deep down I know I am shirking the issues for my own peace.

Isaiah, I thank you for those few verses that have challenged me. Your honesty and yet your frailty, your acceptance of the mistakes you have made but the taking in both hands the new beginning being offered. You are indeed an inspiration to me. I hope that I can rise to the challenge to be just like you. May I learn from the example you set and indeed take up the burden and offer myself in service to others.

For this, I know. The offer of forgiveness is real. I am asked to do nothing other than to accept the new beginning on offer. To take whatever talents I have and put them to good use.

I thank you once again Isaiah for the words you have given me and the lessons I have learned.