Life is different during a global pandemic, not only in the day-to-day activities but even in how we celebrate. Masks and safe social distancing. Handshakes and hugs replaced by elbow and toe-taps. Restrictions from visiting family members. Virtual meetings, birthday parties, church … virtual living! It doesn’t feel the same. And for many (including myself), the disconnectedness and isolation has led to feelings of discouragement and depression.
“My days pass more swiftly than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope. Remember that my life is but a breath. My eye will never again see anything good.”
Job 7:6-7
Today I am re-sharing a post which speaks to all the “Dry Bones” we have collected, tossed, or buried over the years … perhaps multiplied exponentially throughout 2020-2021. I’m praying for a fresh wave of His life-giving breath to fall upon us, and for dry bones to revive and live again.
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Do you have a ‘valley of dry bones’ in your life? Passions and aspirations that once inspired you but are now dead and decomposed, their sun-bleached bones discarded into the dump heap?
I do! Over the years, I’ve had many hopes and dreams that seem to come for a season (nearly overtaking me in their power and all-consuming passion), only to fade away into nothingness over time. Sometimes they were displaced by a new and more captivating dream. Sometimes I abandoned them out of discouragement, weary of chasing something that seemed to be forever out of reach. And some just plain old DIED on me, no matter what kind of emergency life-support treatment was applied! And my bone pile grew.
Periodically I like to walk among those old bones (it’s important to do that from time to time) and recently, I came upon one particular bone … a bone so old that there was virtually no evidence of life left on it anymore. It made me a little sad to reflect upon the dreams I had back then, and what this bone represented. I was so sure that I heard the Lord calling me to do that thing, but …. I guess I misheard, I’ve been known to do that a time or two-hundred.
“… and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” (Ezekiel 37:3-6)
But as I looked at that old bone, a most wonderful thing happened.
“So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.” (Ezekiel 37:7)
His gentle voice whispered into my spirit …. ‘Daughter, I am the one who breathes life to your dreams. Trust me. Don’t try to make it happen in your own strength or rush Me. It will happen at the appointed time.’
Thank you Lord, I receive that. I think I’ll be hanging onto that bone now, lovingly tending to it until You breathe the fullness of Life into it for Your glory.
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Prayer: Father, it is your Spirit Life within us and around us which brings vibrancy to our lives. Bring to our remembrance the “Dry Bone” areas; of dreams that died on the vine, of disappointments that deeply wounded us, of hope robbed. And by the power of your Holy Spirit, breathe new life over us and into us again. Rekindle the fires and re-awaken the longings of our hearts. And in response, may HOPE ARISE within us as we reach forward with faith-extended to lay hold of all that you have in store for us.
“For I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (CEB)
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