A VISION LEADS TO A MISSION

The book of Ezekiel opens with a fantastic vision — one which is difficult to express in human language — involving four-faced living beings with wings; wheels within wheels, moving in all directions; and a figure that looked like a man, and which, apparently, was God Himself.

In the middle of all this, Ezekiel heard a voice speaking to him, giving him a mission: Declare God’s message to the people of Israel — his own people. God warned him that the people wouldn’t listen, for they were stubborn and rebellious. But their rejection of God’s message didn’t deter Him from reaching out to them anyway.

Ezekiel was directed to stand strong in the face of opposition, and not to give in, joining his countrymen in their rebellion. His call began with a vision of God and His glory — a glory beyond human comprehension. I think Ezekiel would need that vision to strengthen him for his assignment, which would be difficult: reaching out to his own people with a message they didn’t want to hear.

God’s message, which the people of Israel would reject, was truly sweet to the one who would hear it — Ezekiel! He needed to take it in, digest it, and let it become part of him. Only then could he proclaim it to his countrymen.

God has given each of us a mission — to proclaim His sweet message of salvation to those around us. Like Ezekiel, we each need to catch a vision of God; then take in His message, digest it, and let it become part of us. To some the message of salvation will seem foolish; as 1 Cor. 1:18 says: “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” May we be faithful in sharing the Good News of salvation, whether people accept it or reject it.