Operators are standing by!

Admit it. There are times that you are tempted to reach for the phone during an infomercial. You didn't even plan to watch it, but you got distracted and before you know it you are watching an infomercial. You know you should likely change the channel (or better yet turn off the tv). But just between you and me, you are fascinated.

The featured product does truly look easy to use. And wow, it is versatile! And clean up certainly does appear to be a snap. And it would seem you would certainly be healthier, wealthier, more attractive and more popular if you made those three easy payments.

In looking ahead to this week's Explore the Bible Sunday School lesson, I am convinced that God would make really crummy infomercials. The mantra of the infomercial is "this is easy, this is effortless". God's message is far more often, this is going to be difficult.

Consider Isaiah's call in chapter 6. God asks who will go for us? Isaiah volunteers. To which God then describes one of the least appealing life missions in history.

"Preach till they can't/won't listen anymore. Then wait for your beloved nation to be a pile of ruins."

Operators are standing by.

Make no mistake God is good. (All the time, in fact.) But our preaching and teaching should never be confused with infomercials. Isaiah learned that. And so should we.