On Sunday we were looking at the call of Ezekiel. He was in exile and he was given a job by God. He had to speak to his fellow exiles! Well, that was only part of it, he was to be an icon symbolizing that God desire to connect with his people. (See verse 5, And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house.) they will know that a prophet has been among them.)
Ezekiel has started me thinking about how we have a similar calling. Many people are at a distance from God. He doesn't figure in their daily lives and these people, are members of our families, neighbours, work colleagues. God wants us to connect them with him. Not only by what we say but by how we live we are to bring people to a place of relationship.
As a local-church leader Each one, Reach One is me putting down a marker that says, "We are taking this call seriously!" We will be an icon of God's love.
A calling to minister to those closest to us is a difficult challenge, they know what we're really like. God makes a difference in our lives, he brings us into a loving relationship. We don't suddenly become perfect, but we become forgiven. This 'forgiven identity' gives us a new beginning and a message to share. Ezekiel had an important role to play in helping people, who had lost their connection with God, to reconnect.
I hope we may follow his example and do the same! The local church: Transforming Community, Radiating Christ!
Ezekiel 2v 2-7 (ESVUK) Ezekiel's Call
And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.
