We gathered on the Sunday after Christmas to continue the celebration of Jesus' birth and to look ahead into a new year. As part of our celebration, I encouraged us to consider the prophecy of Ezekiel seeing the plans for the second Temple to be built in Jerusalem (after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon). This vision seems to be a combination of Ezekiel's desire for people to return to Jerusalem and build a Temple and God's desire for the people to demonstrate their faithfulness.
Too often, we assume that God wants to replace our desires completely. Time and time again in the Bible, though, God seems to meld human desires with divine wisdom. This is an important lesson for us at the start of a new year, when we feel the urge to completely change different parts of our lives. Instead of always insisting on u-turns, perhaps we should consider some of the better desires of our nature. This might be the best way to improve our lives.
If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.
You can also listen to the Communion meditation and the closing benediction.
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