Picked for a Purpose

1/2/2022

A Reflection on the First Reading for February 6th, 2022:
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah
6.1-2a, 3-8

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke.

And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”

“Pick me! Pick me!”

You can see it, can’t you? The little kid jumping up and down with hand flailing in the air desperately wanting to be THE ONE – the one picked for the team or the special project, or to go on an adventure. Simply the one to be picked. We all know the feeling. I can remember in elementary school standing to one side in the gym as the team captains began to pick their teammates, holding my breath until I was picked. There is a value placed on us when we are the lucky one picked to do something … almost anything. There’s a sense of, “They like me! They really like me!”

And who doesn’t want to be valued? That’s the tricky part – knowing that we have value.

In my early teens, while visiting family in the Philippines, I went to school with one of my cousins because I wanted to see if there was a difference between how she went to school and how I went to school in Canada. The biggest difference was made clear when the teacher asked a question. As soon as she asked it, every single student enthusiastically raised and waved their hand. All the hands. Enthusiastically! It was such a different experience. In my own North American classroom only the keeners threw their hands up hoping, wanting the teacher to call on them. Yet these students wanted to be picked. They wanted to show their value. They knew they had value that needed to be shared.

God has picked me. And you. Hands up or not. God has placed value on each and every one of us. We don’t have to flail our hands to get His attention; He is always paying attention, waiting for us to acknowledge our value – a value that erases all that we do to de-value who God created us to be and what God created us to do. This was the case for Isaiah, and God does the same with each one of us. When I allow myself to recognize my value I can’t help but gratefully and enthusiastically respond. I can’t help but ask God to pick me, so that I can do something with what He has given me.

And that’s the flip side to being picked. Being picked isn’t the goal. Once picked, we actually have to do something – to play well as part of a team in gym class, to be a key leader on a work project, to decide what exactly the next adventure is. Showing our inherent value is the goal. Our gifts, our talents, our skills, our voice and (I would even hazard to say) our faults (as we define them) – are all part of the value we have to share. God knows the gifts He has given us and constantly reminds us so that we can know fully that we are valued, we are loved, and we are picked for a purpose.

Aurea Sadi

8 Comments

Lori

1/2/2022 07:11:01 am

I love this reflection because it highlights a core desire of our hearts: to be seen and chosen. When Isaiah is forgiven and then thrusts himself into God’s hands, I am reminded of all the clutter that gets in the way of me seeing that He chose me—the simple truth that He continues to see me no matter how hard I sometimes find it to see Him. Thanks Aurea! I needed this today! Praying for you, sister. ♥️

Aurea

2/2/2022 09:59:33 am

Praying for you too friend!

Knowing that God sees us for the wonderfully and marvelously made human being that He created us to be - regardless of how we try to mask it - that is gift! God continually holds up a mirror to us, showing us the goodness He sees in us. Daily I strive to learn to hold up that mirror for myself and for each others; to reflect God's goodness - so needed in our world!

Alana

1/2/2022 07:14:47 am

“God has picked me…God has placed value on (me)…He is always paying attention, waiting for us to acknowledge our value – a value that erases all that we do to de-value who God created us to be and what God created us to do.” Beautiful Aurea. The idea of God waiting for us to acknowledge our value struck me. Our value is always there. And I so easily see and believe this truth for others, but find it so hard for my self. But God sees me and my value. He knows exactly who He has made me and called me to be. He is patient. And He waits for me to acknowledge it. Lord, thank You. For all You have created and called me to be. Thank You for being patient. For Your love and mercy. Help me to to acknowledge my value so I can more fully become who You’re calling me to be - Your beloved daughter - with whom You are so well pleased - so that secure in this - my deepest identity - I may then do all the things you are calling me to, to give glory to You and draw others closer to You. Amen. 😊🙏🏻💕xo

2/2/2022 09:52:56 am

Amen friend!

So often, I/we forget the value that we inherently have simply for being children of God. When we acknowledge that value, it grows. Thankfully God puts some pretty awesome folks around us to remind us of this value and the importance of sharing our unique value with the world. And together we can make a better world!

Lorrie Yunace

1/2/2022 12:51:32 pm

“God has picked me. And you. Hands up or not. “. So beautiful. God picked me long before I raised my hand! This actually resets my identity and my purpose. God always chose me even when I was so broken. And now in both the struggled times and the happy times in my life. My true identity comes from Him. And my true purpose comes from Him. And living in and out of both these lies peace and joy. Thanks Aurea.

2/2/2022 10:04:01 am

Amen Lorrie!

God chooses us regardless of what we do. But when we recognize that we are chosen - how can we not respond!

Lisa Matheson

5/2/2022 09:10:23 am

Yes Aurea! I am moved by this:
"...waiting for us to acknowledge our value – a value that erases all that we do to de-value who God created us to be and what God created us to do."
As I sit with this today, I realize that for me, acknowledging my value is actually a little scary. It means that if I really am who He says I am, then as you said, I am called to do what He created me to do. This "doing" leaves me wondering if I am up for the task? Will I fail? Do I really have what it takes? I am filled with a sense that Jesus is calling me deeper into a trusting relationship with Him. He wants me to trust fully that even if I fail, I will still be loved.

7/2/2022 11:05:35 am

It is scary when we realized that God has called us for so much...more! I often ask the same questions you do: can I really be and do all that God has asked of me?? You're right, faith and trust in Jesus is the key - we have been given all we need to be and do all we are asked. And the really comforting part - we're not left to do it alone. Father, Son, and Spirit are with us every step of the way - along with other crazy disciples aka our family and friends. We encourage and witness to one another! Praying for you!!