Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile. I, the Sovereign Lord, will gather you back from the nations where you are scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again. When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their detestable idol worship. And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.
– Ezekiel 11:16-20
The World Race as an exile?! What do you think? Didn’t we all sign up for this thing so we could come back with a “singleness of heart?” By taking this pilgrimage isn’t that really our way of asking for a “new spirit” to be placed within us? Haven’t we all heard the World Race called a “transformation process?” That sounds a lot like having “every trace of their detestable idol worship” removed doesn’t it? Could “transformation” mean transplantation? It seems like God wants to perform a transplant during our exile – “hearts of stone” for “tender hearts.” That way we’ll obey His laws and then we’ll “truly be His people.” Is that what it means to find our identity in Him? – By awakening to the fact that we are His sons and daughters?
The World Race as an exile? I think so! What do ya’ll say? Let’s go get scattered!
