With a Thankful Heart 

(our theme for November)

Ezekiel 3:17-19

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.

I read somewhere that one of the major differences between humans and other animals is the ability to pause between stimulus and response. During that pause, humans have the ability to choose their response. In other words, each of us is responsible for what we choose to think, say, and do. Although our conditioning can lead us down one path, it doesn’t have to control the way we respond. We have the ability–the responsibility–to choose our response.

In Ezekiel’s case, he is given clear instructions by God (stimulus) and told the consequences of his action (response). Ezekiel is only responsible for the way he responds to God’s instructions. He is not responsible for the people’s response to God’s message that he is to deliver. They are responsible for their response.

It is liberating to know that when God wants us to do something, we are only responsible for doing it and doing it the way that God wants it done. Sometimes, I forget. I hesitate to do something I feel God wants me to do because of the possible outcomes I can imagine. I wonder if I am using the resources I have in the best way. I forget that if it is the way God wants it used,  then that is the best way.

We often hear people talk about how they want to “save” someone. We can only help direct others to the path.   With God’s help,  they can choose to be saved, regardless of the problems they face.

Prayer:

Help us Lord, as we go through this day, to listen to you and respond by doing what you want us to do, knowing that the rest is in your hands. Amen.

This devotional was written by Alvin Jenkins, and read by Joey Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. 

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org. 

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.