Back to LIFE

Good morning, Kids.

Today’s reading reminded me of a statement Caleb made to me this past spring. Caleb, you said, “Dad, you’re in a better place today.” You were obviously referring to my spiritual (including mental & emotional) condition, because you followed up your statement with a challenge to get in shape, which I quickly accepted, to be in a better place physically too.

So, what is it about today’s reading that made me remember this conversation? Well, let me tell you a little bit about today’s reading. God gave Ezekiel a vision of a valley of dry bones and explained, “Son of man, these bones are the entire house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’” (Ezekiel 37:11) They were in exile experiencing God’s discipline, which was necessary for them to learn that He alone is God.

God gave Ezekiel instructions. Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I am going to open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. And I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it,” declares the Lord.’” (Ezekiel 37:12-14)

Five years ago, many important parts of my life were “completely cut off,” and “my hope was perishing.” So, in that sense, I guess I can empathize with the house of Israel, God’s people. And, while it is still a work-in-progress, His Spirit within me is bringing me back to life, just like in the vision. Paul made a similar claim to the Christians in Rome, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

Based on John’s explanation of God’s command to love, found in 1 John 4:7-21 (specifically, in vs. 18, “… perfect love drives out fear …”), I formed an acronym, “LIFE,” that describes, at least for me, what coming back to life looks like:

Loving (i.e., obeying)
Into
Fearless
Eternity

In verses 16 & 17, John explained, “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world.”

I love Lauren Daigle’s song, “Come Alive (Dry Bones),” which was inspired by Ezekiel 37. It always brings tears to my eyes. Be sure to watch the story behind the song too.

Have a great day! I love you!
Dad

Story behind the song:

Check it out, “Come Alive (Dry Bones),” by Lauren Daigle:

Lyric video:

Acoustic performance: