On July 31[a] of my thirtieth year,[b] while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. Ezekiel 1:1
More than 20 years ago I was sitting in my car waiting to take a young woman to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. I had brought her a Bible from home to give to her because she said she didn't have one. I had selected the New Living Translation because I thought it would be easier for her to read and understand. While waiting, I asked the Lord a question you may have asked, "Lord, are you calling me into ministry? Are you calling me to preach?" And the thought came to my mind, "Turn to Ezekiel 1:1 and all of chapter two." When I read the first line of Ezekiel 1:1, I froze. I had never seen a specific date written in scripture before. But what made the date so significant was that it was the date of my birthday and I was in my 30's. There was no doubt that God's answer to my question was, "Yes."
It's July 31st, 2023, and I am 55 years old today and the call continues to compel me. It has been true to it's instructions. I have been sent to numerous "Israel's" (Ezekiel 2:3) where they have refused to listen to anything I had to say, neither my words, nor my presence had any value. I have had the experience of feeling like an exile.
There were some days, I stood firm and other times I have become discouraged seeing Matthew 13:58, "And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith." become their reality. It has grieved my soul. I have had to shake the dust off of my feet leaving numerous places,, yet in spite of it all, I knew that God was with me.
Even though I've had some difficult times, I've had some incredible moments, like having the opportunity to baptize a woman who accepted Christ, hearing the testimony of women who discovered that they are deeply loved by God, meeting Pastors and leaders who have a sincere heart about being a disciple and making disciples, being able to facilitate a formative spirituality retreats to women because they wanted to have an encounter with the Divine Forming Mystery, - (Father, Son & Holy Spirit. The Father who formed them, the son who reformed them and the Holy Spirit who transforms them). Traveling overseas to spread the gospel, mentoring women, interceding on behalf of others, seeing prayers answered. I have indeed experienced some incredible times of joy in my 55 years of living out this call that was placed on my life before I was even born.
Every year, I reflect on this compelling call, and every year I say, "Yes Lord."