Ezekial 3:14–The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the hand of the Lord being strong upon me.

I’m sure we have all had to do that “hard thing” that we rather not do, but feel so compelled to do it.  Whether that is a tough conversation, a confession, an apology, etc.  There are things that we feel like we have to do, though it contradicts how we feel about it…

This was the calling of the prophet Ezekial.  Called to preach judgment to stubborn Israel, and be met with all kinds hardship and rejection.  This calling was not something that he could anticipate being joyous, or something he dreamed of doing.  Yet it was something God compelled him to do, and he submitted.  Though Ezekial was angry and bitter over what he knew he was going to face, God gave him grace to overcome it…

It is hard to fathom doing something you don’t want to do.  It is even harder to submit to doing something, that you know is not going to turn out the way you would want.  We generally go into doing the “hard thing” expecting great things because we were obedient!  But what happens when obedience to the “hard thing” is met with disappointment, heartache, or frustration?  In other words, not what we expected…

Contrary to much of American Christianity, God never promises us convenience or even what we would like to do or have!  That mentality is revealed to be more shaped towards comfort than a mission.  But Jesus sends His disciples with a mentality of a life on a mission.  When a mission-centered life becomes our focus, we begin to shed lofty and dreamy expectations of what we think life should be like.  Eventually we realize God does us a favor in disappointing expectations He never promised, that we can focus on our call in His purpose.

In His Love, Ld