Saturday Reflection – 29 January 2022

Saturday Reflection – 29 January 2022

“I will save them from all the apostasies into which they have fallen, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be my people.” Ezekiel 37:23

Just when we thought it was all over, that we were at the point of no return, that we were so far down the rabbit hole, so unredeemable that we couldn’t even recognize ourselves, just that moment when we felt that we had strayed so far from the Lord our God, that we were no longer worthy to be called his children, that today’s watchword reminds that God will save us, restore us and bring us back into right relationship with Him.

In Ezekiel 37, we hear the popular story of the prophet’s experience in the Valley of Dry Bones. But there was a second experience recorded in the chapter. Ezekiel was then instructed to take a stick and write on it “For Judah, and the Israelites associated with it” And to take another stick and write on that one “For Joseph (the stick of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel associated with it” And then to join them together and hold them as one in his hand. And when anyone should ask the meaning of this, that the Lord will unite the two nations into one kingdom and under one king. God will be with them forever and they will never defile themselves again but live in accordance with God’s will.

We probably can relate to how Israel was feeling by the time we got to Ezekiel’s experience. All we hear of recently are continued price increases which will affect the price of food and other living expenses. We see the rise in crime and violence; specifically murders, and many times we feel unsafe in our own communities and on the streets, especially at nights. We hear and experience the continued wonton disregard for safety on the roads, and continue to grapple with finding logical explanations for many of the events that we encounter or hear of as a society. There are the continued social effects in our society, our concerns of education and healthcare greatly worsened by the pandemic. And in spite of all of this, we try to remain sane and a positive contributor to our society And this may have left feeling overwhelmed and often depressed. We feel cut off, and divided as a people, that many others are comfortable, whilst it is not the reality for others. There is that wide gap between the social classes in our context, and often we see no way out for us as a people. We may feel just as cut-off, dried up, and sorely divided as Israel.

But the promise of God, that came out of these two experiences that the prophet had, are just as meaningful for us today. Just when we thought that there was no way, God “made a way, when our backs were against the wall, and it looked as if it was over.” God made a way through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour who would usher in a reign of righteousness, peace, and transformation for all nations of the world. That through Christ, our Saviour and King, we would be restored, saved from the consequences of sin, renewed from hopelessness and despair, and returned into prominence and prosperity through right relationship with Almighty God. Jesus came that we would life more abundantly, that through him, there would be no more division, but we all would be one, in Him, as Christ is all and in all. That no matter where we have turned, to whom else we have gone. No matter, how far-gone we are, His blood is able to purify us and make us white as snow. He calls us to follow Him, that we would no longer stumble in darkness, but have the light of life, which brings hope, peace, joy, and love eternal. We may not always have it easy, but in Christ, we will always be blessed!

It is then for us, who have had this life-transforming experience with Christ, even as we pray “Thy kingdom come on earth, as it is heaven” to be the trailblazers for this cause of Christ. Yes, we are called upon, by our lip and life, individually and as the Body of Christ, to be exemplars, in positive and radical ways, that others may come to experience and emulate Christ. Christ is the only answer and has given us the perfect example; all we need to do is go and do likewise. Go and transform the life of the orphan and the widow, the marginalized and the oppressed. Go and show love to all people, inviting them all to respond to the call of the Spirit, and experience the joy of being apart of the Family of God. That is when we will see the difference, as one light ignites the other, soon the whole world will be lit.

Until next week, let us turn to Him who calls us to be active participants in His mandate, that by our witness, and the work of the Holy Spirit, lives will be transformed, and we will truly experience His kingdom here on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair