Day 342: Dry Bones

Luke 2:1-20; Ezekiel 37; Isaiah 60

"A Savior is born for you." Our Savior didn't come riding on the clouds, surrounded by a mighty army, shouting about his power, and flashing his battle gear. He didn't come in a puff of smoke or a blinding light. Jesus came the same way the rest of us showed up on this planet: as an infant, born of his mother. God loves us. He wants to be connected with us. What better way than to become like us, showing his sacrifice and humility even from the start?

I love the story of dry bones coming back to life. Imagine how crazy and creepy that would be! One of the things that I noticed is that God didn't just go 'poof' and fix it. Instead, he had Ezekiel speak to the bones and the wind to provide bodies and breath. God was in control and it was his power that made those things happen, but he used people and our environment to make a difference. Perhaps that is the same today. We don't literally see his hand or hear his voice necessarily, but he works in and through the people and environment around us to guide us, teach us, and bring us back to life in him.

Isaiah 60 is all about restoring God's people to his holy city. I truly believe this means all followers of Jesus and will happen at the end of the world as we know it. God will bring peace, victory, unity, blessings, and abundance and it will be that way for eternity. Our God is one of life and in this scripture, it paints a picture of what life with God in control will look like--and it is beautiful!