There is something that is easy to miss as we go about our day. God is with us and at work all around us. If we go to the highest mountain or the deepest valley of despair, God is there.
God appeared to Ezekiel while he was in exile in Babylon and said, “I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel.” (Ezek 3:17)
So what did the watchman see?
Ezekiel looked out and saw the deepest valley of despair. Everything was falling apart and he was surrounded with suffering and injustice. But there, in the midst of it all, God came to him and shared what he needed most. Maybe it’s what we all need. God told Ezekiel that he understood. He saw it too. He saw what was happening to his people. He knew they were alone and being treated badly. He knew they had lost their way and were at the end of their rope. But there’s more. God not only saw it all, he was going to do something about it. He will love them. As Thomas Merton said, “Love seeks one thing only: the good of the one loved.” God himself will shepherd his people. He will take care of them. He will gather them in his arms and carry them. (Isa 40:11) There are times when it’s too much. All you can do is fall back into God’s arms and let him carry you.
What do you see when you look out your window to the world?
God sees it too. He understands. He comes to us where we are and brings us what we need. The faithfulness and love of God became real to us in Jesus. May we have the eyes to see him. May we have the courage to let go and fall into his arms. He is our shepherd. He will carry us.
"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so I will look after my sheep.
Ezekiel 34:11-12a
*This was originally written as a devotion and was also shared with First Pres Glen Ellyn.