Ezekiel – words from wick

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Wick

A valley of dry bones
The epitome of death
Imagine taking in the scene
How it took away Ezekiel’s breath.

A place of such desolation
No hope of life in sight
Then God began to tell Ezekiel
How to set things right.

“Speak the words I’ve given you:
Be clothed in flesh again.”
How frightening to see bones rise,
And flesh appear on them.

But if the story ended there
It wouldn’t be complete
Just a valley of assembled bones
With skin over their feet.

If you took a picture
It may look like all is fine
But standing in that valley
In the passing of some time

Time allows what really is
To be completely known.
In this case, there was no breath
To bring life to the bones

Don’t be discouraged by dry bones
But just as important is this:
Don’t assume what looks like life
Truly always is.

Invite the Holy Spirit
To examine every part
Not only bones and muscle
But breathe deep into your heart.

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Wick

Why say something so obvious
To those who seem to know?
Why would God take the time to share
These words with those below?

“If you keep on following
The path you currently walk
You’ll end up where you’re going.”
(And he continued to talk.)

“If you turn around
and go a better way
You’ll end up somewhere better.”
(Seems too obvious to say.)

Surely Ezekiel could think of
Something more profound to say
Than “If you don’t go anywhere,
Then you’ve chosen to stay.”

But it only seems too obvious
To those who look from outside
As if we aren’t the ones caught in
Lives we were trying to hide.

To those who felt God’s eyes on them
And recognized their place
The words weren’t just stating the obvious
They were offers of Love and Grace.

What we were up to yesterday
Is not more powerful than God,
He calls us to truly turn toward Him
Away from all facade.

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Wick

While among the exiles,
Ezekiel had visions from God
God remembered His people
And the path they trod

Even though they were a people
Separated from their land
God would soon remind them
He’d not removed His hand

The words were sweet to the prophet
A reminder of God’s presence
But soon it would be realized
That was only the essence

The tangible specifics
May be uneasy to swallow
Because Gods people had chosen
Their ways, not Gods, to follow

The words required were bitter
Though ultimately sweet
Thankfully for Israel
Ezekiel was willing to eat

What scroll is laid before us?
What messages to share?
Are we willing to speak of Gods Love
When our humanity’s laid bare?

Will we speak the difficult words
Of repentance God requires?
Or will we be content to hear
The words from other choirs?