This verse has been repeatedly coming to mind over the last few days. “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1 NIV)

The prophet Isaiah was grieving when the Lord opened his eyes to a spiritual vision and a throne-room experience which led to the Lord commissioning Isaiah. I’m always inspired by this passage of Scripture where Isaiah says to the Lord “Here am I. Send me!” (That exclamation point speaks volumes.)

This Scripture text (in Isaiah 6) is largely about proclaiming that the people have been wayward from the Lord’s instruction. They have been spiritually deaf and blind. Maybe that’s why these words have often inspired me. Imagine for a moment that I was asked to read this passage aloud in front of a congregation where women were often silenced if men were present. Seriously, I don’t know how the Lord pulled that one off. But it happened. It was the day that the Lord publicly commissioned me to go and speak truth to the nations. It was years later, however, that He told me in prayer that I was His prophet to the nations. Listen, I would NEVER be so brazen as to call myself a prophet if the Lord had not said it (and He continues to call me His prophet). The train of His robe fills the temple. He is Lord! (But don’t believe me … ask Him yourself!)

That exclamation point in Isaiah’s proclamation “Send me!” is often less enthusiastic when persecution comes, and the prophet finds herself weighed down by the mire and muck of dredging through things of this world. It’s hard to constantly be pushed away and ignored by those who God has sent me to at the same time that God commands me to focus in on specific people and doctrines. I want to do the Lord’s work. I really do. But I don’t have the power to open their spiritual eyes or ears. All I can do is keep stepping forward as the Lord directs.

I want to share what I have learned from Him in more than 20 years of hearing His voice. How can I teach people that have no interest in learning? How can I show them God’s heart if they are spiritually blind? How can I hope for their spiritual ears to be opened when they can’t hear me tell them how? I did ask the Lord to “Send me!” all those years ago. So here am I … and the train of His robe fills the temple.