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I didn't want to go...(Ezekiel 3:14-16)

Scripture of the Day Ezekiel 3:14-16 (from the Message)

"The Spirit lifted me and took me away. I went bitterly and angrily. I didn't want to go. But God had me in his grip. I arrived among the exiles who lived near the Kebar River at Tel Aviv. I came to where they were living and sat there for seven days, appalled.

 At the end of the seven days, I received this Message from God:"

Oh...thank you Ezekiel! I have not been writing for a while. Obviously! I haven't been able to find the words - mainly because my experiences this year have not been all that positive! I have read lots of things about the peace of God and His joy and lots of other things that simply did not resonate in my heart. Please note, I know all the Scripture about those things are true and our family in Christ has been AMAZING and been my strength when I had none and we are forever grateful for all the support we have been given. I just have been in a slump of sorts.

This slump is pretty well described by the incredible Dr. Seuss in "Oh the Places You'll Go"

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win? And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...or right and three quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind. You can get so confused that you'll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place. The Waiting Place...

Then I came across an Ezekiel verse through a bible study and realized I have never read that Book, but it seemed a fantastic idea to try! I was struck by the verses above because they seemed like a light (even though the words are so dark). Ezekiel didn't want to go where God was sending him. BUT - Ezekiel know he was in God's grip (hands) and even upon arriving at his destination, he was still dumbfounded for a while. And what is even more amazing about this story is that God still used Ezekiel even though he fought God's direction...and Ezekiel ended up simply waiting (while appalled) and then he heard the Message he had been waiting for.

That pretty much describes my year. God has taken me places I haven't wanted to go. But he still has me in his hands...and for the first time, I really sense that it is okay that if instead of taking charge on this journey joyfully, I have sat on my metaphorical stump for a while before moving on. God has let me be for a while, stewing in a not-so-fun place. But I think the period is at an end and I am ready to receive this Message from Grace...

I hope you join me as I transition away from the waiting place! I have missed you all :)


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