Ezekiel 1

Ezekiel is 30 years old as he begins to write his prophecy.  I love how his book starts: “God’s word came to Ezekiel….God’s hand came upon him that day”.  Does God’s word come to you?  Do you feel like God’s hand is upon you?  I know a few of you do – you have shared that with me in the recent weeks.  You feel God is at work – up to something in your life.  It is true for all of us – we just may not really recognize it.  I know that is how some of the rest of you are feeling – that you can’t hear God right now.  Why the difference?  There are probably lots of reasons but I know in my own life it usually revolves around a couple things.  I feel close to God and like He is leading and touching me when I am focused on that relationship – when I am taking time to communicate with Him often throughout the day – when I am listening to His leading.  When I don’t feel that touch is when I am focused on me and my problems and just too occupied to even notice.  Sometimes that is a pity party, woe is me kind of problem.  Sometimes it is just being too darn busy with my agenda.  But here is the good news – God never moves.  He is always there and always trying to speak and touch us.  Ezekiel writes about the four creatures and describes them in great detail.  I am certainly not going to try and interpret what this means, but I do want to call out one description that should be our goal for living: “Wherever the spirit went, they went”.  As I reflect on this verse it makes me wonder if I live like that.  Am I a follower of God’s spirit, or do I insist on leading?  Some days I am afraid it is the latter and that is when I get in deep trouble.  When I put me on the throne of my life, look out, it isn’t usually going to turn out so well.  But my goal needs to be to follow the leader (the Holy Spirit) that God has given to me as a Christ follower to be the source of direction for my life.  I remember playing follow the leader as a kid.  I hadn’t thought about the fact that my life needs to be follow the Spirit now.  Who is leading in your life?  Is it you?  If so take a hard look at how well you are doing and consider putting God in control.  As the chapter ends Ezekiel sees greatness and it turns out to be the “glory of God”.  How did he respond?  “He fell to his knees, face to the ground”.  Oh for a healthy understanding of God’s glory and the fear and respect we need to have of Him.  We serve an awesome God.  Next time we begin with the story based on Ezekiel’s last words “I heard a voice”.  That happens when he hits the deck in worship of God and His glory.  God speaks to him.  Are you on your knees seeking the Father?