Isaiah 49:6

"It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations..."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

Ever feel that you have little or nothing to show for all your hard work? Do you sometimes wonder if you have labored in vain?

If you've known that experience, you'll find a companion in the prophet Isaiah. God has called him as a special servant, but now the prophet is deeply discouraged. He prays, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity..." (49: 4).

It's hard to escape such feelings, at least at times. We work to plan a great event, but the turnout is dismal. We labor long and hard but when we check the numbers, there's no confirming evidence at all. As parents we work and sacrifice, only to hear a teenager say "I hate you" as they slam the door.

Like Isaiah, we may sigh, "I have spent my strength for nothing..."

God responds to this discouraged servant in the strangest of ways. While you might think God would relieve Isaiah of his post as prophet to Israel or tell him to take some time off, God doesn't do either. In fact, God gives Isaiah a new and much bigger job. "I will give you as a light to the nations." What could be bigger than "light to the nations"?

How strange the ways of God. Isaiah feels a failure at one task and God gives him a bigger one.  What gives? Sometimes it is when our own ideas of success go belly up that God can reach us. Sometimes when we are tired out and ticked off from trying to do it all—and do it all by ourselves—it  is then that God can show us a new path, a new way and a new vision. Sometimes when we hit a wall, God opens a door.

Prayer

You know us, Lord; you know that we suffer times of discouragement, times when we feel we have labored in vain. Grant us grace to let you share the load, to let you use us, and trust the outcomes to you. Amen.

About the Author Anthony B. Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher and writer. His newest book is Called to Lead: Paul's Letters to Timothy for a New Day, and he is also the author of the just-published Book of Exodus: A God is still speaking Bible Study. Read his weekly reflections on the current lectionary texts at www.anthonybrobinson.com by clicking on Weekly Reading.