Bitter But Better

I Don’t Like It, But I’ll Do It

We have created this idea that because ministry efforts are set up in a voluntary way that we have to be happy with the ministry that we are a part of. I want to be very clear, the way that God calls you to serve is not always going to make you happy, it’s not always going to make you smile, it’s not always going to feel rewarding nonetheless we have to remember that it’s about the kingdom and not us.

Think for a second what God called Jonah to do, he ran in the opposite direction. Think for a second about what God called Jesus to do, He asked if this cup could pass. Think for a second what God asked Sarah to do, I do know what it is like to have a child, but I know that labor is hard at any age let alone once you are a “seasoned saint” like Sister Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Think for a second what God asked Abraham to do, sacrifice his son, I do not think that it was an enjoyable experience.

Ezekiel 3:14 “So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.”

Even though it may not be enjoyable all the time, it’s a comforting to know that God will always be there to protect us no matter the situation. Ask yourself, why would God call you to do something and leave you vulnerable when you get there? Understand Ezekiel was married, elders sought Ezekiel for counsel, his wife suddenly dies, understanding that Ezekiel had to encourage the people in the midst of approximately 13 years with no prophetic utterances.

Even when you feel like no one is listening, or if you like God is not listening but understand that if God called you to do something, no matter how you “feel”, God’s promises are God’s promises! His timing is not our timing but His promises are His and will forever be His and His word will last forever.

I’m Bitter But Busy

You might ask why was Ezekiel feeling this way? Imagine God called you to proclaim His message to people that aren’t going to listen to you? First of all let’s understand how Ezekiel is feeling: Bitter, chafed, discontented in a great and heavy way. Has ministry ever made you feel this way? Has just being a member or trying to be a good christian just made you feel some type of way. Like God, this

Ezekiel 3:7 “But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted.”

In the verses following God tells Ezekiel that for every impudent and hear-hearted Israelite I have made you strong enough to withstand rebellion and encourage people to get on the correct path!

This would have made me feel some type of way! Even in my feelings of discontentment I have to rely on the spirit to see me through. “So the spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went” Ezekiel went in bitterness but he went.

Even in his bitterness he sat overwhelmed but he was with the people. The people who were exiles, there’s no way we can get people to come back to God if we are not willing to sit where they sit. It’s about truth but it’s also about being relatable and understanding what people are going through. Ezekiel 3:15 “Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.”

Watch what God does, after he sat with the people for seven days God shows up and gives a directive. I need us to understand we can be the most talented, have the most resources but if we don’t spend time with the people it’s going to be hard to minister to people!

Dealing With People

Dealing with people is always going to bring about a challenge. It does not matter what ministry you serve in you are going to have to deal with people. Nonetheless understand the hope that is attached with being a servant for the Lord. Regardless of how people respond to your efforts, you are not doing it for them you are doing it for God.

Ezekiel 2:4 “For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’”

For every challenge that is provided God strengthens us just the same if not more.

Ezekiel 2-6 “And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me. And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them. “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. But you, so…”

The response of the people should have no bearing on what God has called us to do. God did not give us a spirit of fear, what’s funny is that God speaks to Ezekiel in the way that he teaches. God’s instruction and encouragement was very illustrative and tactile with Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 2:6 ““And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house.”

God’s speaks in similes and metaphor’s, often times God’s gets our attention in the way we comprehend life.

Ezekiel speaks in similes and metaphors, for example in Ezekiel 24:6-7 “‘Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Woe to the bloody city, To the pot whose scum is in it, And whose scum is not gone from it! Bring it out piece by piece, On which no lot has fallen. For her blood is in her midst; She set it on top of a rock; She did not pour it on the ground, To cover it with dust.”

In effort to minister to people we have to be able to sit with them. When I say sit with them I’m not just talking about lunch at Easton on a balmy Sunday after worship. I’m talking about really listening to them, really spending time and getting to know people to truly hear their needs.

Ezekiel 3:15 “Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.”

See we can live in the same city, on the same street in the same neighborhood and still have no idea the struggle that our brothers and sisters are going through! This is why we have to start sitting with folks.

If I’m really going to understand you and what you are going through I have to sit down with you. Jesus sat down with some folks, Jesus sat down with some dignitaries, and Jesus also sat down with some poor folks and some folks society deemed as less than. If we are going to reach the loss we have to be willing to sit with the homeless man, we have to be willing to sit with the victimized and the victim. We will have to be willing to sit down with the single mom, and the brother on parole. We will have to sit down with folks and not assume because they have a big house and a few cars that everything is alright. Nights get long and tears flow no matter what or where you live!

When it comes to ministry I might not like it but I have to remember the why, I have to remember the who in Jesus, who died on the cross. You don’t think He had bitter moments while they were driving nails in his hands? You don’t think He had moments of frustration when his disciples did not show up for Him when they said they would?

“I might not like it but I’ll do it”

I might be bitter but Holy Spirit lead me

I might get frustrated but I’m still going to sit with you

I might be angry, but I’m going to attentively listen to you on the phone and pray for you that day.

I might be upset but I’m not giving up!