Advent Devotions
All are invited as we Make Room this Advent season.
Dry Bones
Today’s author is Prince of Peace’s Intentional Interim Pastor, Steve Sylvester.
Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14
“Prophesy to these bones…” In Ezekiel’s dry bones story, four times God tells the prophet to prophesy, to speak to the bones. And it’s not just that the prophet prophesies to the bones, telling them what God will do for them. Ezekiel even prophesies to the breath of God, calling it from the four winds to breathe upon the bones that they may live. It’s as if the midwife is giving birth along with the mother instead of simply coaxing the baby out.
We know we play a role in God’s good creation. We are to be stewards of the earth and its creatures, faithful caretakers of what belongs to the master. We are to be evangelists, proclaimers of the Good News of Christ that is entrusted to us. We are to be lovers of our neighbor, paying special attention to those who are excluded or who live on the margins. But the dry bones story seems to suggest even more, that we call the goodness of God into the world to give life where there is death.
There’s a lot of death out there these days, and sometimes I’m not sure what it means to prophesy to it. It certainly means standing up to injustice, as we are called to do when our Somali sisters and brothers are called garbage. It means caring in all the small and unseen ways, ways in which sometimes not even the recipients of our care understand or are aware. It means being kind and truthful and compassionate, especially when we don’t want to be any of the three. We can see these things as “following the rules” or “being a good person,” but in reality, these things and more are calling the breath of God from the four winds to give life.
The next time you wonder whether you should “do something,” whether you should speak out against an inequity or extend a loving hand to an opponent, think about what God tells the prophet: “Prophesy.” Not to overburden you, but think about calling the breath of God from the four winds. Maybe even give a quick nod north, south, east and west. Think about how astounding it is that God calls you not just to care for what is already here, but actually to bring into the world a new thing, a new life. It’s astounding, really astounding. So, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal.”
Previously…
A Confounding Delight
“The Trinity” is considered the most famous icon of the Russian Orthodox church. The other name for this artwork is “The Hospitality of Abraham,” for it’s based on the story from Genesis that was our focus text during worship yesterday. I have been fascinated by this painting ever since first seeing a photo of it during my time in seminary. I would love to make a pilgrimage to experience it in person someday. But today, that feels like a nearly impossible feat.
Building Love
When we look out into the world, it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by all the places where help is needed. This can weigh especially heavy on the hearts and minds of those, like us, who have come to know the transformative power of God’s love. It’s especially helpful then, when stories of God’s love in action get a little light shined upon them.
God’s Work. Our Hands.
This past Sunday the theme was “God’s Work, Our Hands”, and we had a reflection and thanks from the Youth Group’s trip to Colorado. On the surface “God’s Work, Our Hands” seems like a pretty easy chore, but is it really?
There are so many questions that arise when I think about trying to do God’s work.
Back at the Beginning
There are lots of board games where players may find themselves going back to the beginning or starting point during the course of the game. This mechanic is often used to create tension, add strategy, or increase the overall challenge. Have you ever played Sorry!, Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, or The Game of Life? That last one fittingly names a reality with which we all can identify, sometimes life just takes you back to the beginning where you have to start all over again.