shoots

Monday June 15^th, Ezekiel 17:  22 " 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar.  The Message is clear to the people of God; your majesty will be greater than the mighty empires you see around you.  The Cedar, symbol of Lebanon is used to give the people hope. It was the tall and mighty power at the time, and the vision is that the people of God will be even greater.  The vision is one of new growth from the hopelessness of devastation they see all around them.  The Lord comes into our live also and lets us know, if we have our eyes, ears and hearts open, that not only is there hope, there is also the vision that this hope will flourish and grow and in the process produce and bear fruit.  When hope comes from God, it is not for the individual only, contrary to what American Civil Religion teaches today. This is not God and Me theology, this is God and We.  When God is involved in something new, it is done up right, and it is done in such a way that the whole world, the one God created and called good, can continue to receive hope and newness of life through this blessing of the Creator.  Though these blessings are no wee thing, God’s blessings are always a “we” thing, not an “I” thing.  We are called into new growth each and every day for the benefit of the world around us, not simple for our own gratification.  Child of God, this day is yours, open your hearts to the blessings of God and be fruitful in and for the world.