Sensory Overload

“And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for’” (Isaiah 6:7) 

Sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and the aroma of the mission field.  If you didn’t know you had five senses, you will after a mission trip.  It can be overwhelming.

On our first trip overseas, Shanna and I were blessed to be able to go with a seminary group from St. Louis. It was the month before the world would experience 9-11. It was a long trip and our group had just arrived in Nagercoil, India and nature was calling. One of the girls jumped right in to the “Eastern Toilet Experience”. She came running out as quick as she went in. Apparently, an obscure lizard decided to pay her an up-close visit. After the screaming and dancing had subsided we came to the conclusion that she had just experienced “sensory overload”.

If one was to visit where we serve, I can almost guarantee that the individual would experience sensory overload. There is so much to look at and smell. The sounds are constantly foreign and the food you eat will give your jaw a good workout.  The weather on your skin will remind you that “you’re not in Kansas anymore.”  Sensory Overload! 

Isaiah experienced something comparable when he saw the Lord sitting upon the throne with His robe filling the temple. The sights, sounds, aromas and the glory of the Most High reminded him of his condition. He was a sinner who dwelt among other sinners.  He was lost. He was like you and me.

Think back in your life at your Isaiah moment(s); Do you remember?  You were broken.  You were overwhelmed.  The world was pressing down on you like a press.  You were broken. The world, your flesh and Satan were handing you more than you could handle. Even the thought of God was overwhelming.  What was your response? 

Isaiah fell to his face as though dead.  It was too much for his week self to handle. Something as small as a whiff of a mosquito coil in a foreign context has caused the most faithful to buckle at the knees. And yet our Lord comes to us when paralyzed. Christ, Jesus desires for us to cast our anxiety upon Him. He cares. (I Peter 5:7).  He cares to the point of being overwhelmed to death. Putting an end to His earthly senses. 

That’s not all. Because He is the Risen One, He touches your lips and proclaims to you that your sin is atoned for! In Christ, all your senses have been renewed! Renewed to “Go, and say to this people” (Isaiah 6:9) what Christ has spoken to you at your Baptism.  What he speaks to you at the Absolution and what he delivers to you in the Lord Supper.  May He overload you with His forgiveness.

Almighty God, of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son, that believing in Him, we may have everlasting life. By Your Spirit comfort us in all our troubles, and protect us from all doubt so that we may remain steadfast in the faith and come at last to life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.