It's the Holiday Season, But Is God Invited Home?
The holiday season is upon us. Time to travel, shop, eat, remember, dread, and hope. Families, like all God’s creation, should be filled with anticipation. That Christian anticipation seems forgotten. A century of cultural revolutions coupled with a societal fascination with brokenness has left idealist hopes of family without a home. Dare we dream again? Or, as we read in Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” (Ezek. 37:3).
Christian anticipation is fueled by God’s presence. Ezekiel wrote to a people in exile–a people away from their God. His readers wanted to be home. They needed to be revived. God’s message to them was this: “thus says the Lord GOD: Behold I, I myself, will search for my sheep and will seek them out” (Ezek. 34:11). He said, “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.” In 34:23 he said, “I will set up over them one Shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their Shepherd.” In the 36th chapter God said, “I will not let you hear anymore the reproach of the nations, and you shall no longer bear the disgrace of the peoples and no longer cause your nation to stumble, declares the Lord GOD.” God promised to act on behalf of his own holy name (36:22). He would give the people a new heart (36:26) and put his Spirit within them to “cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (36:27). In this way God promised “you shall be my people, and I will be your God” (36:28).
In Ezekiel’s prophetic book, God promised the restoration of his people by his presence. What–or who–is missing in our families? Who is missing in our homes? Can home be a great place to be? God’s redeeming presence can flood our homes with saving grace.
So where has God been? God remains omnipresent–he is everywhere always. Sometimes, we refuse to see him. Sometimes we refuse to acknowledge him. As we refuse God, we reject his grace, curse ourselves, and rob our homes of his love. Open your eyes to see him, and fill your hearts with his presence. Refuse to be ruled by anger and submit to the Prince of Peace. Refuse common and profane lifestyles so that you may pursue the holy One. Love your spouse, your children, and your other relatives too. Stop putting people down so you can lift them up to God.