Elmhurst CRC

Sunday's Comin' #23 - Ezekiel 2

December 29, 2021 Caryn Rivadeneira Season 1 Episode 23
Elmhurst CRC
Sunday's Comin' #23 - Ezekiel 2
Show Notes Transcript

- with Caryn Rivadeneira, Director of Care

Caryn Rivadeneira  00:09

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the Word of God. It's Wednesday, December 29, and Sundays coming. This is Caryn Rivadeneira. I serve as Director of Care and Worship Planning and I'll be reading from Ezekiel two. "He said to me, son of ma'am, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you. As he spoke, spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. And I heard him speaking to me. He said, Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I'm sending you are obstinate, and stubborn, say to them, This is what the Sovereign Lord says, and whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious people, they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, the briars and thorns are all around you, and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified of them. Though they are rebellious people, you will speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen for their rebellious, but you son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people. Open your mouth, and eat what I give you." As I pray for direction and clarity. And as I consider goals and objectives for the new year. I admit, I'm jealous of the specificity of Ezekiel his message from God. Even if Ezekiel is being asked to do something so scary, that God has to tell him many times not to be afraid. I wish God would be this clear and what I'm supposed to do, where I'm supposed to go, and even what I'm supposed to eat, even if they are scrolls. While it's tempting to wonder why God, God doesn't speak this clearly, to blame God, if you will, for the lack of communication. The first verse of this passage makes me wonder if my own posture toward God isn't to blame. After all, here we read that God asked Ezekiel to stand, and then so receptive to and so filled with the Spirit, Ezekiel rises to his feet, then God speaks. Well, we may never receive as clear a message from the Lord as Ezekiel God, even as I pray for new direction and vision for the year ahead, I realized I need to take a step back, her perhaps step up, to stand up like zeal, or at least to position myself to be filled with the Spirit and to give space and attention to God so I can hear him when he speaks, and be ready to courageously follow him where he calls. This is a pretty good starting place for all the other goals this year. 

 Caryn Rivadeneira  02:54

Let's pray. Our God, help us to hear you help us to listen. Help us to act with courage in the year ahead. In the name of Your Son we pray, Amen.