The Path Unchosen

29/6/2021

A Reflection on the First Reading for July 4th, 2021:
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ezekiel
2.3-5

A spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard one speaking to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a Prophet among them.”

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

There are many ways to walk with the Lord. It always amazes me that while the human condition is universal, the paths we take can be so incredibly different.

In the last while I have found myself on some paths I wouldn’t have chosen. If I could change them, I would. I have begged the Lord for a change in direction or to send a miracle that would make the road easier.

Some that are farther along in their life’s path are probably not surprised to hear that God hasn’t changed my way. He is allowing said journey, and there is something He is doing with it. There have been inklings and inspirations of what is possible, and there is potential for great good.

But, I would still rather not go. In fact, I’ve been fighting Him the whole way.

I wonder if Ezekiel felt similarly. Listen to where God is sending him — to a rebellious nation, impudent and stubborn, having transgressed against God. Not only that, but Ezekiel is to proclaim the Lord to these people, whether they hear or refuse to hear.

In other words, there are no guarantees that Ezekiel’s difficult journey will yield fruit.

God knows he can’t make it alone. But God knows why he should go, whether Ezekiel does or not. So He gives Ezekiel a powerful vision of Himself (Ezekiel 1). Imbued by His Glory, Ezekiel is literally picked up, entered into by God and set on the path. Finally, God feeds him a scroll of lamentations, which falls like honey in his mouth (Ezekiel 3). Now, Ezekiel can take his first step. Then the next step. And the next. He is walking; he is on the journey to the place he mightn’t have gone — for God and with God.

Ezekiel will go on to proclaim God to the people. It will be difficult. In response to God's presence with him, most may recoil or even attack. But some may respond to a glimmer of hope and redemption in an unexpected and challenging place, perhaps not the least of which is Ezekiel himself.

We don’t always get to choose our paths. We certainly have no idea how people will react to us along our journey, and we can’t guarantee the outcomes we would like. But we can choose how we walk and Who we walk with. Leaning in, God can touch both pilgrim and observer on the path unchosen.

God, pick me up and set me on my feet so that I may take the next step. May You be glorified on my journey.

Michelynne Gomez

4 Comments

Suzanne LeBlanc

29/6/2021 09:20:06 am

You know, I am old enough in my walk to have learned to put my ego aside, but I have such a hard time to remember do that! Thanks for sharing this, Michelynne. <3

Michelynne

30/6/2021 10:48:17 am

Isn't it though, Suzanne 😊 I know it's all growth and trust but sometimes you wish there was another way to keep the ego in check!

Lisa Matheson

29/6/2021 11:37:45 pm

Love this reflection Michelynne! So many truth bombs. We definitely don’t get to choose our path. And like you said, we don’t always understand or see the potential fruit of our journey. But this:
“ Leaning in, God can touch both pilgrim and observer on the path unchosen.”
I just love how you phrased that! God can do so much more than our limited view can see. 🙏🏼💖

30/6/2021 10:49:32 am

He can Lisa. An exercise in trust when we cannot see it. Maybe sometimes God's thinking long-game when we are so apt to think in the immediate moment.