Do you feel at times that God is distant?

Do have trouble at times understanding God?

The prophet Ezekiel (600 B.C.) dealt with both issues. Disaster had fallen upon him and his people, and it seemed that God was far away.

Then he had a vision, recounted in Ezekiel chapter 1. The vision is so extraordinary that some have imagined it sounds like the sighting of a UFO! In fact it is a mystical vision of God, full of ancient near eastern imagery. The vision did not bring Ezekiel an explanation for his circumstances, but it brought him far more—a personal encounter with God.

The vision is ancient, but it brings eternal truths:

God is near to us, even if we have not been “feeling” God’s presence
The nature and working of God are beyond our full comprehension; rather than trying to fit God within our concepts or our imagination, we need to be ready for mystery
The deepest answer to our need is not an explanation but an encounter with God. Such an encounter is possible because God in Christ comes to us. We are invited to be receptive to the touch of God’s grace.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Ezekial 1:1, 4–28
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About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.