The prophet Ezekiel signals a change. Israel is beaten down, dejected, and even their collective memory is fading. But Ezekiel's vision has the Lord conveying a message of promise and hope... and he says, "Stand up!"
There are days when we just feel that life doesn't cut us a break. We feel that fate is against us and we're all alone, and everyone else in the universe is loving life, and having a good time... everyone except for us. We are stuck in a pit of worry, anxiety, despair, etc. We feel weak and broken. But God has a word for us too... and he begins with "stand up".
Try this exercise... next time you're outside with some space around you, lie down on the ground and look to the horizon. Your view is limited by the low vantage point of your position. But take it in... consider closely what you can see. Then stand up and look at the horizon again. Do you see the difference? Just by being verticle, you can see further ahead and further all around you. When you're looking for a sign of hope for your life and your situation, you have to place yourself in such a position that you can see beyond the end of your immediate circumstance. The landscape of our life changes. We may spend time in the desert, but God has better in mind for us.
Readings: Ezekiel 1:1-3:15; Hebrews 3:1-19; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 26:24-26
