August 14, 2015

“He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me;” Ezekiel 2:1-3a

“Have you ever felt God calling or leading you to something that you weren’t sure how you were going to do? Perhaps it’s to start a food bank at your church or to share your faith story. It can be terrifying when God calls us to come and follow. That’s what God did to Ezekiel. “Stand up on your feet. I am sending you.” But here’s the interesting part. Ezekiel didn’t stand on his feet by his own volition. The Spirit entered him and set him on his feet. I find courage and strength in knowing that even as God calls me, I do not go alone. God will always send the Spirit to lead me.”   Luther Seminary devotions, June 29, 2015
Jennifer Beil — St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Portland, Ore.

There are many people in the church who often feel that trying to start something new at the church is so impossible that they quit before they even begin. They don’t try for several reasons usually including, but not limited to: push back from those who say “we tried that before and it just didn’t work”; others who say “we don’t have the money to do that”; and still others who say “we don’t want “those” people in our church”.

It is a daunting task to take on a new ministry, to volunteer for something you are scared to try, or to serve on a committee, but remember, when you answer the call “to follow”, you do not go it alone. The Holy Spirit is always there not only to confirm your calling, but to support you when the “nay sayers” begin to throw up road blocks. And there will be those who try to stop you — out of what they believe are “reasonable words of advice”. But, remember, G*d calls us to comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable. Anything new, a new ministry, a new program, a new group to serve, a new direction will afflict those who do not like change.

Remember, Ezekiel did not stand up on his own, the Holy Spirit entered into him, stood him up, and said “Off you go”. If you have the Holy Spirit, nothing can or will stand in your way. Oh you may get a lot of push back from those who fear change, but trust the Holy Spirit to fight your battles for you.

Pastor Dave