Living in the Spirit

June 7, 2021

Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24
Thus says the Lord God:
I myself will take a sprig
   from the lofty top of a cedar;
   I will set it out.
I will break off a tender one
   from the topmost of its young twigs;
I myself will plant it
   on a high and lofty mountain.
On the mountain height of Israel
   I will plant it,
in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit,
   and become a noble cedar.
Under it every kind of bird will live;
   in the shade of its branches will nest
   winged creatures of every kind.
All the trees of the field shall know
   that I am the Lord.
I bring low the high tree,
   I make high the low tree;
I dry up the green tree
   and make the dry tree flourish.
I the Lord have spoken;
   I will accomplish it.

After the ice storm struck Oklahoma in October, my immediate concern was the lack of electricity and internet. The city had major electrical stations down, and my connections to the city’s power were ripped from my house by felled trees in my backyard. I was responsible for restoring those connections, and that could not be done until the trees, twisted and broken, were removed. The man who takes care of my yard came within two days to clear out the trees. The electrician arrived the next day.  I was fortunate. I have a friend who had her yard work completed in May. Ezekiel uses trees and their care as a metaphor for God’s Kingdom. It takes continuous and careful effort to maintain society to attain God’s vision for all God’s people. It begins with that shared goal.

Prayer: Lord, bring us together to be your helpers in accomplishing building a world ruled by your love. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.