Bare Bones

Everyone has the same anatomical structure with bones that compose the foundation of the human body. We do see differences between people from body mass and muscle definition, but when you remove everything you have bare bones. Right now the restrictions placed on our society is breaking us down to this very foundation and bare bones. The definition of bare bones is "reduced to or comprising only the basic or essential elements of something."

As a society we have looked to sports, money, and entertainment for satisfaction and even life. With these things being removed most people have struggled with finding or maintaining meaning in life. The good news is if you are still breathing that means you still have meaning. This pandemic might be teaching you to rebuild from the foundation of your values, priorities, and purpose. The main purpose to remove to the foundation is to build back up to have a stronger foundation. When it comes to the transformation process there are times its valuable to get to the foundation and rebuild back up.

There is a story in the bible that goes between two people, God and Ezekiel. In this part of the story God takes Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones and helps them build back up to life.

The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.

In this moment you might feel like this valley of bones. You feel dried out and not living like you used too. God continues His conversation with the man to encourage him.

Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

Here God speaks about restoring the life to these bones through the word and breath. True life is in the Word of God and His breath, which He gives everyone. The air we breath in is His life giving spirit that makes us whole and alive. This is the true essence of life: the Word of God and the breath of life.

So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.

Ezekiel speaks to the bones and they form together into a human body. The body you and I are in right now. Yet, just because they have skin and muscles doesn't mean its alive. The key here is the breath we breathe. It is breath that gives us life. Breathing is our greatest strength. Unfortunately people exhale excessively and rarely take time to inhale which leads us to become tired and worn out.

Being conscious of your inhalation will tap into a whole new potential and capabilities. Its difficult at first to be aware of your inhalation under tough moments, but it will source to gain confidence. Take a moment and to practice inhaling. Breath in slowly for 3-5 seconds and let it out all at once. As you do this you can feel the vitality of life surge through your soul. Do this multiple times throughout the day and envision God breathing into you and giving you strength. The more you breath in the more your confidence will begin to rise.

So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army. Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’ Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!

These bones represented lost hope for people. Right now you might be feeling this lost hope, but God wants to give you life. He wants to open your grave of quarantine and isolation. This fight is not over and hope is on the horizon. God wants to put breath in you. When you inhale and receive His breath of life you are receiving His Spirit. This means God is with us and for us. There is no need to be afraid, but be strong and courageous.

As you build up from your bare bones this time seek God. Receive His breath and look to His word. Reconstruct your whole life around Him. Begin to see that the Creator wants to give you a purpose, which is to point to life through Jesus Christ. Today, is your day to ask God into your life and to receive the Holy Spirit (read more in our belief page).

As this pandemic continues to be around take this time to realign your values, priorities, and take hold of a new purpose. The purpose of hope in eternal life and the good news about Jesus.

Take Away:

-Rebuild your foundation with the Word of God and the Breath of Life

-Seek God from now on

-Breath IN more to become stronger and courageous