From Emptiness to Purpose

May 8, 2019

DAILY READING

Isaiah 6:1-8
Luke 5:1-11
This weekend’s reading: Exodus 20:12

FIELD NOTES

There are certain themes that repeat in both the Old and New Testaments.  So from time to time, like with today’s readings, the lectionary chooses to highlight this pattern.
 
In both these stories, our main character is having a moment of emptiness–Isaiah in grief over the death of the king, and Peter after a long day of fishing with no catch. 
But then they have an encounter with God.
And these encounters lead them to make confessions–Isaiah says, “Woe is me for I am a man of unclean lips”, while Peter says, “Go away for I am a sinful man.”
Finally, God restores Isaiah and Peter by giving them a new mission.
 
A time of emptiness, leading to an encounter of God, leading to a confession, leading to receiving a mission.  Have you seen this pattern in your own life?

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD 

• Do you know what your purpose/mission is? 
• What role does confession play in your life? 
• Have you ever seen God show up in times of great emptiness? 
• In what ways do we see the pattern play out in a Sunday church service?

FAMILY FIELD TALK 

• How do you think you’d respond to an experience or encounter with God? 

PRAYER GUIDE

God who shows up in the empty places and provides mission, may I have the ears that hear what you are calling me to do.  Amen.