Balloon Parade

Last year we had the opportunity to see a large amount of balloons take off from just north of our home. We sat on the back deck and watched as they sailed past and took pictures.

 

It is balloon parade weekend! This morning, a large number of balloons passed by…not nearly as close as last year, but still close enough to enjoy their beauty.

 

I recall watching a balloon launch with my Mom several years ago. We followed one in particular and got some amazing photos of this silent vessel.

 

I’m drawn to hot air balloons. I love to watch them launch and land. I am amazed at their ability to float through the air. They seem to be dancing with the sky.

 

But I enjoy them while being on the ground. I would never attempt to jump aboard and sail across the landscape. I’m too afraid of heights for that.

 

But it would be glorious to be up there.

 

I’m sure Ezekiel was completely amazed at the vision he saw in Ezekiel chapter 1. The creatures. The wheels. The eyes. The expanse. The flight. Perhaps it was in preparation for all that he would see throughout the book of Ezekiel. He saw some pretty amazing visions.

 

In our time, we see all sorts of airplanes, from bi-planes to bombers. And there are also helicopters and hot air balloons. Vessels in the sky are part of our lives. But in Ezekiel’s time, none of this was possible. There were only birds in flight. Nothing else would have been visible in the sky.

 

I can only imagine how Ezekiel felt as he watched this vision. And this was all before God called him to be a prophet. God was preparing Ezekiel for a mighty work. God’s mighty work.

 

Ezekiel’s calling is magnificent! God tells Ezekiel that he is to go and tell Israel what God has to say. To be a prophet among the Hebrew nation. However, it was not going to be easy.

 

God said that Israel had become rebellious (Ezekiel 2:3). They were obstinate and stubborn (Ezekiel 2:4). Their hearts were hardened (Ezekiel 3:7). They were unwilling to listen (Ezekiel 3:7). But God told Ezekiel that He would make him as unyielding and hardened as Israel (Ezekiel 3:8). He told Ezekiel not to be afraid of anything they said or did against him (Ezekiel 2:6). God’s Spirit would be with Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:12). God’s strong hand would be upon Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:14).

 

God also asked Ezekiel to eat a scroll. God’s words against Israel. Ezekiel did so and it tasted as sweet as honey in his mouth (Ezekiel 3:3).

 

God mentioned to Ezekiel that he wasn’t going to an obscure nation. To a nation that spoke an obscure or difficult language (Ezekiel 3:6). God was sending him to the house of Israel. God’s people. Ezekiel’s people.

 

But would they listen?

 

Ezekiel spent 22 years among the people in exile. During this time, he received multiple visions from God and then relayed them to Israel. Israel’s rebellion against God is seen within the pages of the Book of Ezekiel. But what lessons can we learn from this book?

 

God’s deepest desire is for us to have a relationship with Him. Throughout Israel’s history, we see God pursuing them over and over. He wanted Israel to come back to Him. And He has never stopped. God pursues us just as diligently as He did Israel. It’s up to us to accept Him.

 

Rebellion will not go unpunished. After reading through some of what Israel went through because of their rebellion, it doesn’t make sense that we still continue to sin against God. But we do. But we can also run to God’s loving arms and with a repentant heart live in His presence once again. I am so thankful that God is willing to forgive me when I am rebellious.

 

Tasting of God’s goodness through Scripture will be as sweet as honey. I enjoy reading His words so much. I pray that you have the same desire and craving. Let’s spend quality time devouring the words in our Bibles so that we may know as much about God as we possibly can.

 

There is great hope in sharing God’s message with those who speak obscure and difficult languages. Listen to God’s words in Ezekiel 3:5-6 (NIV). “You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel—not to many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.” Mission or service work must not be squashed because of budget cuts or lack of money. God has called us to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20- NIV)

 

We must also know that God’s Spirit will be with us through all that we go through. God will lift us up as He did Ezekiel through the difficulties. Oh we may get discouraged. Ezekiel did. But knowing we are in God’s presence and that we are in His strong hands gives us great peace, strength, and joy. Let’s not lose sight of our heavenly Father and all of the promises He has given.

 

The balloons will return tomorrow. I look forward to seeing their beauty again. If you live in the area, you may want to peak out your window. You just might see the balloon parade!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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