Having faith in God
As a Christian, having faith in God is an unspoken assumption. It goes with the territory, right? But what is easy on a good day can be harder to put into practice when trouble comes.
Reading in Ezekiel recently, I noticed something new. Chapter 47 describes a vision he had of a river flowing from the Temple.
Actually this river started as just a stream. Ezekiel is with a man who is leading him through the water. They pass through water that is ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then up to the waist.
As I imagine the scene, I can see Ezekiel walking with confidence through the shallower depths. It's pretty easy to have faith in God there. As the water rises, though, I see him moving closer to his guide.
As the water surges up to his waist, maybe he stumbles. He has to grab the man's arm so he isn't swept downstream.
Suddenly, his confidence has to shift. Instead of having faith in his own ability to keep him safe, he now has to trust this man won't let him be swept away.
Ezekiel tightens his grip on his guide. But instead of going back to shallower water, the man takes him deeper. Ezekiel is soon over his head.
He is stuck. Even if he can swim, the river is moving so quickly no one can cross it (47:5). He cannot help himself. He is completely dependent on his guide.
We can look from the outside and say, "Oh, Ezekiel was safe. God wasn't going to let anything happen to him!"
But how quickly do we forget when the waters start rising in our own lives? Do we still have faith when we lose our control?
God took Ezekiel to a place where he couldn't stand on his own. Eventually, if we keep following Him, He will do that with us, too. Whether it's in a new job or a relationship or something else, we have to determine - What will be our response?
Remember, God didn't send Ezekiel alone. He expected him to need help. So if it feels like your feet are slipping, don't try to run back to "safer waters." Reach out and grab hold on the One who is already there beside you.
Reading in Ezekiel recently, I noticed something new. Chapter 47 describes a vision he had of a river flowing from the Temple.
Actually this river started as just a stream. Ezekiel is with a man who is leading him through the water. They pass through water that is ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then up to the waist.
As I imagine the scene, I can see Ezekiel walking with confidence through the shallower depths. It's pretty easy to have faith in God there. As the water rises, though, I see him moving closer to his guide.
As the water surges up to his waist, maybe he stumbles. He has to grab the man's arm so he isn't swept downstream.
Suddenly, his confidence has to shift. Instead of having faith in his own ability to keep him safe, he now has to trust this man won't let him be swept away.
Ezekiel tightens his grip on his guide. But instead of going back to shallower water, the man takes him deeper. Ezekiel is soon over his head.
He is stuck. Even if he can swim, the river is moving so quickly no one can cross it (47:5). He cannot help himself. He is completely dependent on his guide.
We can look from the outside and say, "Oh, Ezekiel was safe. God wasn't going to let anything happen to him!"
But how quickly do we forget when the waters start rising in our own lives? Do we still have faith when we lose our control?
God took Ezekiel to a place where he couldn't stand on his own. Eventually, if we keep following Him, He will do that with us, too. Whether it's in a new job or a relationship or something else, we have to determine - What will be our response?
Remember, God didn't send Ezekiel alone. He expected him to need help. So if it feels like your feet are slipping, don't try to run back to "safer waters." Reach out and grab hold on the One who is already there beside you.
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