Instinctively I saw the failures in others;
Quick was I to judge their sin.
Denouncing the hypocrisies in my brothers,
Covered my own lack within.
Then what I depended on was taken from me—
Stripped of all self-confidence.
Desperately falling before God Almighty,
There I faced my arrogance.
Seeing the Lord in undiluted holiness,
High and lofty on His throne;
Suddenly I felt the shame of my uncleanness—
Pervasive—it was all my own.
So overwhelming was my complete defilement,
I wept and wept with much woe.
But then I felt His fire and heard the announcement,
Which began with a clear “Lo.”
“Lo, this fiery, sacred coal has touched your deep need
As a sign of your cleansing.
Your iniquity is gone; your sin all atoned.”
I knew this was life-changing.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord distinctly ask,
“Who shall represent Us?”
Unworthily, I replied—now stripped of my mask—
“Send me; You’re now my focus!”
Though called by God to preach His message with passion
To a rebellious people,
I do so today with a heart of compassion,
since that Day in the temple.
