Speaking is so difficult. We watch what we say, don’t want to offend anyone. We often tip-toe around not to step on anyones toes. If we have to confront someone about something it’s rarely easy and often times terrifying so we put it of as long as possible to avoid any negative outcome. In Ezekiel 2: 6-9 God speaks to him and says ” Son of man, do not fear them. Don’t be afraid even though their threats are sharp as thorns and barbed like briers, and they sting like scorpions. Don’t not be dismayed by their dark scowls. For remember they are rebels. You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious. Son of man listen to what I say to you . Do not join them in being a rebel. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.” That is terrible. Being told to go to people knowing full well that what you are about to speak is going to be rejected, they are going to threaten you, scowl at you and sting you like scorpions. We don’t want to speak when we don’t know the outcome and just fear the unknown, but knowing….. that is something else entirely.
But then God goes on to say “I am sending you to the people of Israel, but they won’t listen to you any more than they listen to me. For the whole lot of them are hard-hearted and stubborn. But look I have made you as hard and stubborn as they are. I have made you as hard as a rock. So don’t be afraid of them or fear their angry looks”
God knows what I need in order to fight the battles that I have to fight and he has equipped me with the weapons. He has made me as hard as a rock so that when I hear a word I will be able to go out and speak it, do it, write it, what ever it is that he is telling me to do. So what’s holding me back now, nothing.
