Revived

It's well into the afternoon of Easter Sunday.  Wind-chimes echoing praise outside my office window, the sunshine and springtime have me feeling hopeful.  I woke with the notion of resurrection power in my mind, of the liberating, empowering presence of the Holy Spirit residing and renewing me and every believer.  As you can guess, I was compelled to dig further.

As one who trusts in Jesus, knowing the Word and the wonder of His life on earth, His incomparable sacrifice for our freedom, and His overcoming death and Hell to win for us salvation, healing, and peace, I am in awe.  I'm redeemed and ransomed by Jesus.  I'm restored to hope and wholeness in every way.  When God breathes life into one which was lost, He doesn't limit, but rather lavishes His power over, throughout, and into every atom, cell, area...  He didn't leave Heaven and clothe Himself in flesh and face all He knew was necessary to give us a "pass," but to show us how green every pasture can be when He is our Shepherd. 

God pours His power into our souls, yes; but also our spirits, our minds, our bodies, our relationships...  We become infused and replete with life and love and limitless potential.  We are alive, we are accepted, and we must necessarily be amazed by grace. 

One definition of resurrection is "a rising again, from decay, disuse; revival." 
Revival is restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength; restoration to use, acceptance, or currency; an awakening.  

Ezekiel 37 talks of dry bones being brought to life, complete with sinew and skin, and finally, breath.  God tells the prophet to speak to the bones, dried and withered, "dry bones, hear the word of the Lord."  Have you ever felt dried up inside?  God knows you have.

Isaiah 58, calling God's people to repentance and promise, gives the very vivid picture of resurrection power, of revival.  If we personalize the message, as I was called to do this morning, we who believe can walk in these same confidences:

• I am continually guided by God when I pay attention to Him and walk in His way.
• God satisfies my soul in any and every scorched, dry place.
• God gives strength to my bones - and we just read what can happen with even dried bones yielded to Him by His word.
• I am like a well-watered garden. like a spring of water whose resource is without end.
• I am a re-builder, repairer, restorer in God's power.

Jotting with Johnna

• What areas of your life seem particularly "dry?" 
• Do you need to yield to the word of the Lord and be revived? 
• How might your physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, social, and other aspects of life be like a well-watered garden as you allow God to revive you?
• When would there be any better time than this moment to live a life resurrected?
• Why not trust Him?

Remember:  even dry bones can rise!  You are not too far gone, not to washed up, not beyond the resurrection power of God!

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Happy Easter!