Shiggaion

© September 20, 2008 by Norman Stolpe

So Isaiah,
you see your great vision;
you get your great call.
“Send me,” you tell God.

What does God say?
Dull hearts –
shut eyes –
ears that won’t listen:
They’d rather not be healed.
Did God even want to?

Could have saved a lot of trouble,
if God let you stay home.
Surely God could have found you a more responsive audience,
people who’d appreciate
your eloquence,
your insight,
your style,
your piety.
Doesn’t God know how important
satisfaction,
fulfillment,
affirmation
are for effective ministry,
for mental health?

Who am I to be exempt?
not Joseph –
not Moses –
not Samuel –
not Jesus.
They complain about God –
not me.
As they go astray,
I love this people.