People Mover

I wonder if you are familiar with the ‘Peoplemover’. The ‘Peoplemover’ was an attraction located in the Tomorrowland section of Disneyland. Its allure was found in the opportunity to sit down, relax, take a ride around Tomorrowland and get a break from the congestion and crowds while enjoying a bird’s eye view of the park.

Sadly, the ‘Peoplemover’ was shut down in 1995. Apparently, the management at Disneyland felt people didn’t want to be moved anymore. But as these things go there was deep unrest about this decision. A group of ‘Peoplemover’ fans actually came together and formed a website called ‘People for the Peoplemover’. There you can sign a petition to restore this attraction as well as learn all kinds of interesting facts.

In studying the first chapter of Ezra, I came to understand this burning desire for the ‘peoplemover’ crowd to achieve their goal. There is a genuine appeal, in this time that we live in filled with stresses and pressures, to just sit back and let someone else do the driving. I propose to you today that our God is the original ‘Peoplemover’ and maybe now would be a good time for us to let Him take the wheel of this ride we are on called life.

In Ezra 1 we see three examples of God’s people moving skills. In verse 1:1 we read;

“In the first year of Cyrus King of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus King of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it into writing.”

Did you notice that God moved a heart of a worldly king? This tells me that God is a people mover with authorities that govern us whether it be in our country, our workplaces, our homes. God can move the hearts of Kings even if they aren’t following Him.

We also see;
“Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites – everyone whose heart God had moved – prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem” Ezra 1:5

It would seem that God is the one who stirs His people as well. Not only can God move the hearts of Kings but He is perfectly capable of stirring the hearts of His people to action also.

Lastly;

“All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.” Ezra 1:6

God can direct peoples hearts to want to help you whether they are within the faith or not (some commentaries aren’t clear who the neighbors were). If your cause is His cause, there isn’t anything to prevent the supply that you need.

We see by looking at Ezra that God is the sovereign people mover. He is able to move the heart of a king, stir the hearts of His people and call on neighbors to assist you. I wonder if anyone is in dire need of a skilled people mover.

Maybe you have been seeking employment for what seems like forever and you need God to move the heart of an employer to your benefit. Or perhaps, you are in a situation where you could use a little help. Maybe you are currently overworked and can use for God to stir some hearts to come along side and assist you. Or maybe you are just sitting there wondering where the money is going to come from for the pile of bills that you are faced with for no other reason then a downturned economy. According to Ezra, God can change all of these situations by moving people.

So then you ask, why hasn’t He? My heart is deeply encouraged as I look at how God relates with His people. He is ever watchful of their need and is mindful of what He has in store for them. All three of these situations revealed to us in the first chapter of Ezra came about because God said it was time. What transpired in this chapter was a fulfillment of prophecy. God is all about timing in our lives as well. Read Ephesians 1:11-12;

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”

Whether it be a King, His people, or provision, God is working it out and we can trust that He will show up at the perfect time. Maybe He isn’t overlooking your estate but it just isn’t time yet. In this fast paced world we live in we always think the time should be now when God is saying not yet. Trust Him. He is working it out.

In case you were in despair about the close of the ‘Peoplemover’ in Disneyland, you will be happy to know its return is imminent. I have just received information that a formal announcement will be made next week regarding the return of this attraction. It seems that the powers that be at Disneyland realized that there is a real need for people to be moved after all. Hmmm.