Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Of all the stories of scripture this is one that always leaves me in wonder. Can you imagine walking out to a valley filled with bodies. The flesh long decayed or scavenged, and the bones bleached by the sun and driving winds. Of course it is a vision of a ancient battle lost the defeat so devestated the nation that the survivors were unable or unwilling to even venture to the plain to bury their fallen brothers. Then after years, God calls His prophet Ezekiel to go down to this place.
The pain it must have caused this man to be forced to remember the past. At times we do need to revisit the past, not to live there but to examine it, see what happened in those distant days that are still holding on to or present lives. God asks the prophet can these bones live? I am struck by how deeply this question strikes at me. So much of the past has devistated our lives. Many live with wounds caused by abuses enacted on them by the ones that were supposed to love them. Others are plauged with the residue of poor choices made years prior. Can these bones live?
Do we believe that God can bring life and healing into the areas of life that are filled with death and still tender wounds? If we consider the background of this story we would be reminded of the fall and excile of the Hebrew people. They wonder will they again live in their land, will God still be with them and be their God, or will they become bleached bones left to errode in the sands of time. God tells the prophet to cry out to thes dry bones. To tell them that God will breath life into them and they will live.
God can do amazing things. I do believe tha he can breath life into anything and anyone. I think of so many broken people and churhces I have known in the past, and that God has given new life to. I have seen communities filled with pain, but given hope through God. They have a new life, a life that resembles the past but is not consumed by it.
As you pray today and meditate on scripture, consider your own life and where you are putting your faith. Remember these bones, the man could do nothing for them, yet God brought them back to life. We have hope in God through Jesus. Let Him breath life in your soul and rise and walk.
Jared – very helpful. Didn’t realize you were doing this. Vicky
Posted by Vicky | June 3, 2012, 4:31 PMThanks for reading Vicky. I thought it would be a good way to keep people that have an association with Willow Creek but are unable to attend to keep participating. As well as letting people know more about Willow Creek and Evangelical Friends.
Posted by jwquaker | June 3, 2012, 4:35 PM