Emphasis Preaching Journal

In the first months of walking my Labradoodle pup (they’re great dogs!), I finally understood his sudden stops: walking one second, stock still the next. He’d see something move — a leaf down the street or, more exciting, a cat or squirrel or person. He’d hear something — birds in the bush or children beyond the fence. He’d stop. At first I’d pull his leash and say, “Heel.” I finally learned that he’s genetically wired to stop and stare at something that may be dangerous, at least interesting, or possibly edible. So God created us with instincts like those of Moses at the bush to turn aside and look when God is revealed in this world’s sights or sounds. Here Isaiah portrays the fullest and most authentic human response to “The Holy” breaking into our world. He sees, acknowledges his sin, and then agrees to serve God.