Eat the Scroll

Eat the Scroll

“LISTEN to what I am speaking to you… open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.” And when I LOOKED, behold, a hand was extended to me.. a scroll was in it.. Then He said to me.. eat what you find; EAT this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel. So, I opened my mouth and He fed me this scroll. He said to me, “…feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll...” Then I ate it and it was as SWEET as honey in my mouth. Then He said to me, “Son of man, GO to the house of Israel and SPEAK with my words to them.” – Ezekiel 2:8 – 3:4 

1. LISTEN & LOOK 

2. EAT, BE FILLED & BE SATISFIED 

3. GO & SPEAK 

God has been challenging me in this time of solitude/quarantine to get honest with Him and myself. In my heart there is a genuine desire to co-labor with God and make an impact for His Kingdom. If I’m honest, many times I don’t let that genuine desire interrupt or change norms in my life. This passage has challenged me to first get honest and second evaluate what I give myself to in light of what God is doing in my heart. 

To listen, we will need to turn down the volume of culture, pleasure, comfort, and routine so that we can hear His voice. If we are going to see what He’s showing us, we must be intentional and disciplined about what we’ve heard. Many times, I’ve heard God speak to my heart or through His word and the next day I put it on the shelf for later and eventually it gets dusty with the other words I’ve forgotten about. Stewarding and acting upon His voice will position us to see clearly what He is wanting to reveal in and through us. To eat, we must consume His Scroll.. His Word. We must believe it’s what nourishes and sustains life. Whether we are listening to or reading the Bible, we must make His word a priority. To be filled means keep consuming until you’re full.. we all know what it feels like to be full… (anyone else need to be quarantined from the fridge? Haha.. I know I do) If we will push past that wall of checking off our devo time for the day and keep consuming until we are filled, we will taste the sweetness of knowing Him and find satisfaction in Him who is the Word. He will satisfy more than the quick fixes we often run to like social media, TV shows, foods, drink etc.. We will find Him to be more fascinating than the most interesting pastimes or hobbies. Once we’ve heard, seen, eaten, been filled, and tasted, we can finally GO. Now with a genuine desire, as we go, we have something to give.. because we’ve been with Him. It will no longer be stale words from last week’s sermon or podcast, but it will be fresh words from His heart, to His people. This is an invitation to no longer wrestle and strive to do what we feel like is the “good Christian thing” to do. Instead we’ll be ready, healthy, nourished and strengthened by Him who sent us. Again, this is something I’m honestly processing and working through myself. I pray it challenges, encourages, and stirs you toward Him! 

Love you all, 

Andrew