Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this has touched thy lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. [Isaiah 6:6-7, KJV]

Fire purifies and cauterizes. As broken and sin-filled people, we need the live, burning coals God places on us. The burning is terrible and confusing. It hurts, but healing generally does.

The gospel of Jesus is not an anesthetic that keeps us from feeling the pain of sin. It is a cauterizing ember that sears deep into the fibers of our being and transforms us from stammering, hesitant sinners into prophets of the most High God. It turns our excuses to ash.

Father, here are all the hopes and dreams
        They weigh down my tongue
And I cannot speak.

Place the living coal of your power
         Burn away these empty expectations
Scar me to remember what you cleansed.

May the scars seal your voice
        Inside my own
Your passions burning in my every word.