Go and Say

Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.” [Ezekiel 3.10-11]

I went back today and read what I wrote on this same day last year. It was about this same scripture and, I believe (a year later), truly inspired by God.

Today however, there seems to be more focus on the "go" and "say" parts of the passage above.

Have I let God's Word sink deep into my own heart? Have I listened carefully for myself?

I am entirely responsible for my will. God will not make me "listen to Him carefully." I have posted  here in this blog 4,307 times in response to God's Word. It seems like a lot, but the further I get into it, the poignantly less impressive it seems. How amazing and deep are the riches of God's Holy Word! I can only touch the surface of all that God has invested and stored in His Word. And it is good - because He is good and only does good.

So, having said this, am I ready to "go" and "say?" Am I prepared to speak the truth whether it is listened to or not?

As I write this, a couple of well-known Christian leaders have denounced their faith. Why? Could it be that they had not first let all God's words sink deep into their own hearts? It is so easy to be elevated to a place a public prominence because of a talent or gifting. But talent or gifting, obvious as it may be at an early stage of Christina growth, does not mean the servant is ready to "go" and "say."

Young Christian leaders are at great risk of not having FIRST let all God's Word sink deep into their hearts. The more dynamic they are, the greater the risk.

In thinking back over my life and desire to be "in ministry," I can only thank God for keeping me from a place of prominence. Sure, I had occasional 'revelation' from God, but I was not steeped in the Word of God deep in my heart. Consequently, as a very low-key "Christian leader," I harbored sin in my heart - worldly faithlessness - Godless thoughts and actions that would control and haunt me. I was dangerously vulnerable in many areas of my life that could not help but affect my family. My poor wife and kids. But even still God's Word and prayer (ie. true devotion) did not take priority in my life. Years would pass and even more frustrated Christian ministry, until finally it became more of a priority to let all God's words sink deep into my heart.

That priority started sometime more than 4,307 days ago (I missed a few days in the early years). And now, here I am today. I suppose I could start my day without God's Word, but why? Nothing else in life makes sense without knowing the God Who authored life itself.

Let me say here that my journey into God's Word was finally a 'real' journey when I submitted and committed myself to prayer. (Note: While not at all recommended to come to this commitment, being a missionary can definitely kick-start a prayer life.) The Bible and God's Word - the story contained in its pages - became (over the period of a few years) the natural and necessary companion to my prayer. While it is entirely possible to be a student of the Bible and remain prayerless, I believe it is impossible to be genuinely committed to prayer and remain "Word-less" (not a student of the Bible). Prayer creates the appetite for God's Word and prepares the heart to receive Its spiritual nutrition. I know this by experience.

And, in time, God's Word and the prayer that whets the appetite for it, offsets the weight and control of sin. Maybe for others the change is immediate. For me, it has been gradual - but very sure.

But am I ready to "go" and "say?" My deceitful and wicked heart is still pulled to faithlessness...

Father, I feel grossly inadequate to "go" and "say." But I am compelled to submit to Your Holy Spirit dwelling in me - and I dare not declare Him (You in me) inadequate. May You find my heart and my life more submitted to You and Your Kingdom than ever before.