Ezekiel 21:7
“Yes, it’s coming. No stopping it. Decree of GOD, the Master.”
“And the sovereign Lord says: It is coming! It’s on its way!”
Chapter 21 begins with God instructing Ezekiel to groan and carry on in public as illustration judgement is imminent. It will not respect the individual, consuming the righteous along with the wicked. It reminded me of childbirth. For nine months as my body grew another I knew I would not be pregnant forever. When the final weeks arrived a different kind of knowing developed; labor is coming, there is no way of escape, it will be traumatic and painful. My joyful anticipation changed to dread of the labor ahead.
It is human nature to look askance at the distant future and be caught unprepared when it looms ahead. Yet believers are called to daily vigilant preparation for it. There is an end to all things. Let us learn to live like it.
Lord, I am guilty! I become mired in today, the future out of sight. Help me to live urgently, prepared for labor, anticipating the joyful outcome of the end of all things.