Ezekiel 34:11-12

Suzanne Burton Ezekiel 34:11-12

"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. "

What causes human beings to scatter from each other like lost sheep? Wars cause multitudes to be displaced as refugees. Cruelty, selfishness, and substance abuse can tear families apart. Shame, embarassment, and greed can keep human beings from speaking out and sharing in their communities.

What God tells us through the prophet is that He is forever searching for us in the midst of darkness. Like sheep mindlessly wandering in a stormy pasture, without God we are wandering through a world filled with distractions and competing values. When we seek Jesus, the good shepherd, we can find peace.

This scripture seems to point out that peace is not just found in an individual relationship with God. It is found in the flock as a whole. God wants people to live in community and to support one another. When we seek God's will for our lives, the clouds evaporate and the Light of the World can come in. Jesus never stops searching for the reconciliation of all humanity, and calls us to do likewise.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, quiet our hearts and spirits in this stormy world. Let us listen for the call of your voice and act to bring peace within our community.