This week I attended a Christian writers conference. I emphasized “Christian” because this conference is like summer camp for writers. The people who attend all bring their experiences with God and his Word to the conversation. God’s Word informs our writing, and the conference included worship and devotion times. I heard references to so many verses and ideas from Scripture. It helped to take a step back from the details (studying Ezekiel, reading through the narrated Bible, where I’ve been in Psalms for a month, now reviewing 2 Samuel for our fall women’s Bible study) to consider God’s themes in our lives. Ezekiel ties in with it all.
At a writing conference, writers learn about the writing craft, discuss ways to connect what we write with readers (audience), connect with friends, and make new friends. One fiction technique has to do with the fact that every book has a middle. Given we’re roughly halfway through reading Ezekiel, and it’s the midpoint of the year, let’s pause to reflect. In fiction, this mid-point often has particular significance. Characters might face a “mirror” moment in which they come face to face with who they are 
and have been. They might realize a lie they’ve believed as truth becomes more evident through story events. Based on revealed truth, characters choose to turn in a new direction to experience growth in their lives. We experience such moments in our lives too.
Ezekiel’s theme, then they will know I AM is the Lord, permeates the good and the ugly in the prophet’s writing. It shows us lies we believe, idols we serve, and ways in which we need to repent. Ezekiel’s message also offers hope. God always saves for himself a remnant. He relentlessly pursues his people. The prophet Ezekiel shared glimpses of God’s glory and wrote about a new Spirit to come, one who would bring new life. Throughout Scripture, God’s story—and ours—is one of redemption. Sometimes, though, we need to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly to draw us to connect with God, face the brokenness in our lives, learn the truth that I AM is the Lord who always wants to be present with us, and repent to live as his beloved remnant.
*Full disclosure: Not enough brain cells or time to complete an in-depth study this week due to conference recovery and catch up. Next week we return to Ezekiel 29.