THE PERSON FOR THE JOB
Today's reading: Ezekiel 1:1-3:21, Philemon, Proverbs 16:1-9

"I am sending you to the people of Israel, but they won't listen to you any more than they listen to me! For the whole lot of them are hard-hearted and stubborn. But look, I have made you as hard and stubborn as they are. I have made you as hard as rock! So don't be afraid or fear their angry looks, even though they are such rebels." Ezekiel 3:7-9 NLT

It's been said of me that I have a bit of a hard head. A stubborn streak. An independent nature.

Maybe it's true.

I don't like being told I can't do something.

I seldom settle for 'it's probably too hard for you'.

And for the love of Pete, don't ever tell me 'someone like me could never do something like that'.

So when I read this passage of scripture about Ezekiel, I thought to myself...this guy and I are a lot alike!

Especially in regards to what God has called us to do for Him.

God asked Ezekiel to speak to the people of Israel...the people who had not been listening to God, the people who had turned away from each and every command He had laid before them, the people who thought they knew a better path than the one God set before them. Those people.

And God told Ezekiel, these folks are stubborn and hard-hearted and that they wouldn't listen to him.

That information right there is enough to put a halt in any and all plans one might have to succeed for the Lord...but God goes on to tell Ezekiel that He had things in order.

Ezekiel, God told him, it will be okay--you see, I have made you as stubborn and as hard-hearted as they are...you are just the right fella to reach these people. I know you won't give up on this task. I know you will be as diligent, determined and dogged as they come.

I love that!

You see, God has presented me with a desire in my heart that it's going to take a lot of prayer, a lot of trust and a whole lot of leaning on His understanding to ever see it come to fruition...but I'm just hard headed enough to stick with it, because I am believing Him for it!

What stands against me better know that, too.

I won't go down without a fight.

I won't stop just because someone else thinks I should.

I won't believe the lies my attackers throw at me.

I will not allow the obstacles to stop me, oh, they may slow me down, but they will not stop me.

I'm not going to trust someone else to do what I believe He has asked me to accomplish with my strengths, my abilities and my faith.

I won't give up when it gets hard, tough or takes too long--my heart is set on seeing this through to the end I believe God has promised in His Word.

I'm just that hard-headed...but I'm seeing that maybe, just maybe--in this instance, that's a good thing!