ever feel this way?

God said to Ezekiel:

"My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice." (Ezekiel 33:31-32)

What preacher/worship leader/minister of any of sort hasn't felt this way before? It has to be the greatest fear of those of us who lead God's people; that we would be standing in front of a room full of nodding heads and closed hearts.

As a worship leader, I know I have felt like this from time to time. A friend of mine calls it being a "jukebox". Put a quarter in the slot and listen to the pretty songs come out. Luckily, that is not the case at my current church. But I've been to churches where that really is all they want.

"Just sing the songs and keep us happy."

"A changed heart...what? A changed life?! Get outta here!"

If you feel this way right now, I want to encourage you to remain strong. Stay the course. Because this is what God told Ezekiel next:

"When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them." (Ezekiel 33:33)

So, what did God mean by "all this"? He was referring to something He said a few lines earlier. Read here.

So, let me encourage you: if your congregation doesn't listen to you, they will either die of plagues, fall by the sword or be ravaged by wild animals. Thus saith the Lord. Amen.