Clearing-the-Fog

Do you live symbolically? Does your life throw off a message to others?  What do they hear from your life?

The writer of Hebrews mentioned that in the days before Christ, God spoke to His people “many times and in many ways … through the prophets.” One of those prophets was Ezekiel. As a prophet, Ezekiel received direct messages from God that he would deliver to the people. But he also became the message itself.  Let me explain.

Numerous times in the book of Ezekiel, God would direct the prophet to act out symbolically a message for the people. For instance, Ezekiel built a miniature of the city of Jerusalem, and just like a child paying cars in the dirt, Ezekiel enacted a siege against the miniature city (Ezek. 4–5). This demonstration was complete with cutting of hair and swords, and other props for the telling drama. Another time God told Ezekiel to role play a refugee going into exile (Ezek. 12:3-16). This included carrying a “suitcase” and digging a hole through the wall of the house to climb through as he walked into the distance.

Still another time, Ezekiel’s wife died, and God directed the prophet to show no signs of mourning using the traditional mourning customs of the day (Ezek. 24:15-27). This symbolic action served as an illustration to the people that they, too, would lose those things that were precious to them, but they wouldn’t be able to weep or mourn.

These symbolic actions spoke volumes to the people. Through these illustrations, God’s people heard the message of God. Ezekiel literally shared God’s messages through his actions as well as his words.

We, too, should engage in symbolic living like Ezekiel. I’m not talking about some of the bizarre things that Ezekiel did. But I am talking about living in such a way that people can see Jesus in our actions. In fact, as believers, we are called to live “questionable lives.” Paul challenges us with these words:

Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT) – “live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. ⁶Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

That last phase, “so that you will have the right response for everyone,” instructs us to live in such a way that people will question why we act and talk the way we do. That’s talking about symbolic living that leads people to say, “What gives with you? How can you have such joy in times like these? In light of all you are going through, how do you do it? What’s your secret?”  We should recognize that every minute of our live should symbolize God’s power in Jesus Christ in all we do and say.  God speaks to those around us through our lives! 

Plan today to get to living “symbolically” so people will question your life; then you can tell them about Jesus.