“Here am I”
is the translation from the Hebrew word “hen“
which means “behold”.
In Chapter 6, Isaiah describes his profound encounter with God. Isaiah gazed upon a most mysterious and glorious Divine Being whom Isaiah knew as the Lord. And in Isaiah’s gazing he discovered the Divine beholding him.
These deep relational encounters of being seen, accepted, and known is where we are loved to life and healing, forgiveness, and transformation unfolds. Something becomes more possible and we are internally re-calibrated to participate in the ongoing work of God’s renewal of all things. This kind of transformation cannot be forced or manipulated by good intentions.
What is it like for you to make space to allow God to behold you in all your human glory, just as you are? without any striving to fix yourself? just being seen by the One who formed you and loves you – always and forever?
I wrote a little poem about my own encounter with the Lord through this text…
behold
You behold me
as I am
I see you beholding me
with eyes of compassion and acceptance
I belong to You
this is me
just as I am
in this moment
seen, known, loved
accepted as is
sealed, belonging to
I go about my life as one
willing to be sent to be
me in this world
here, now, right where I am
with You
Amen.
(Kim)
Isaiah 6:1-18 RSV
In the year that King Uzzi′ah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having in his hand a burning coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven.” And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart. Stay with it. Sense if you want to savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer.
Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
