Your job is to speak

Today: Ezekiel 1-4

I'll admit: The book of Ezekiel opens up in kind of a...weird...way. There's a prophet who has a science fiction-like vision from God. God speaks to him and tells him to do some things that are kind of odd (laying on one side for 390 days? And the other for 40? Eating food cooked on a fire fueled by human--or cow--dung?). Yet in the middle of things that seem strange to read, there are glimpses of God's familiar hand at work.

When God called Ezekiel, He used some words that I think He'd say to any Christ followers today. Take a look at these two excerpts where God is talking to Ezekiel about the people:

They're a bunch of rebels.

Your job is to speak to them.

Whether they listen is not your concern.

They're hardened rebels...

...They won't listen to you because they won't listen to me.

They are, as I said, a hard case, hardened in their sin.

But I'll make you as hard in your way as they are in theirs.

I'll make your face as hard as rock, harder than granite.

Don't let them intimidate you.

Don't be afraid of them,

even though they're a bunch of rebels."

I think it's interesting that God called Ezekiel to do some things that were a bit strange and to do something that He calls all of us to do--to tell other people about Him.

One thing God didn't call Ezekiel--or us--to do? Save people. We are called to talk with people about God and share His love with them, but they choose whether or not to listen and accept Him. God is the Savior! He's gracious enough not only to give people salvation, but to give them free will. God didn't create robots, but human beings. He wants us to love Him, but He doesn't force us into submission. Love is always a choice.

Tomorrow: Ezekiel 5-8

Shining and saving

Today: Psalm 115-118

Tomorrow begins one of my favorite events of the year: the women's conference at my home church. This year's theme as "Shine." I'm sure there will be lots of sparkles and lights around (it is a girly-girl kind of event, after all!). I'm also sure that the speakers will talk about what it means to shine. It's interesting to me that today's passage shed some light (no pun intended!) on the topic as well:

God is higher than anything and anyone,

outshining everything you can see in the skies.

Who can compare with God, our God,

so majestically enthroned,

Surveying his magnificent

heavens and earth?

He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,

rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash,

Seats them among the honored guests,

a place of honor among the brightest and best.

He gives childless couples a family,

gives them joy as the parents of children.

Hallelujah!

But you, Israel: put your trust in God!

—trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!

At Christian conferences for women and men, there's often talk like, "God's called you to be a king!" or "You're one of God's princesses." There's definitely truth in those statements--in the Bible, there are references to people like Esther placed "in a royal position" and God refers to His people as "heirs" called to "rule and reign" with Christ.

That said, I don't think being a king or queen in God's Kingdom is just about sparkles, power and fanfare. On the contrary, I think Jesus was a king with callouses--or a knight in strong armor whose heart bled (in His case, literally) for people. Women like Esther were queens who took major risks for the unloved and underprivileged. The female heroes of the Bible were not pristine princesses in high towers, present only in polished cliques--I picture them as princesses with patches on their knees and dirt on their fingernails. They helped real people.

Because what good is shine if it doesn't reach the darkness? And what good is strength if it lies sedentary?

I love the fact that God is a ruler who also helps.

I love that I know plenty of amazing princesses with patches--women beautiful inside and out who do things like building orphanages for children in South Africa affected by AIDS, giving their time to read to underprivileged kids in our city, donating money to help reach people with the Gospel...and so many other things.

I also love that I know a few good kings with callouses--guys who aren't too proud to spend a Saturday picking weeds in a disabled woman's yard, who live everyday as good dads and husbands, and who give time out of their busy schedules to volunteer at their churches.

Thank you all for shining and serving--for your strength and for your hearts. You will never know (well, until heaven anyway!) what you've done to impact me and so many others. Shining and saving isn't easy, but you're following God's example and that's just priceless.

Tomorrow: Psalm 119:1-88