Those Dry Bones

I have noticed a trend in the last two weeks...the number of times the story of the dry bones from Ezekiel has been mentioned in a variety of circles. Many times, referencing concerns for the current church at-large. It's seriously been quite unusual...so much so that it slapped me in the face to pay attention. :)

When you look at the church in America today, it's not difficult to see the "dry bones". (Note: I am looking at myself in the analysis as well.) Those ruled by appearances...putting forth the "show" to pretend to be someone they are not. Those ruled by legalism...putting forth the "rules" that would "earn" God's favor and often using their Belt of Truth to abuse others. Those ruled by self...seeking only what makes them happy and comfortable, all the while being "me-me-me" and "milk-dependent" rather than challenged to grow in maturity and servanthood. Those ruled by a gospel of sin management...living this life in constant remembrance of who they've been without seeing that His cross was also a gate to true freedom and to becoming who He made them to be in the first place. Those ruled by consumerism....seeking the perfect church of entertainment without any attention to the condition of their heart or the nature of true worship. Those ruled by performance or duty...working out a social gospel or gospel of doing without any focus on the personal relationship with Jesus.  Those ruled by offense...isolating themselves from community and permitting themselves a seat of judgment rather than forgiveness and healing. It goes on and on and on...

To me, it feels like all of heaven is groaning for Abba's children to come alive again...to be filled with His breath of life...to experience intimacy with Him that unleashes destiny...to allow His power and presence to be made manifest in their own hearts and in their realms of influence...the truest tales of the kingdom expressed today.

So...let's live in agreement with the prophesy..."Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may LIVE!" Because...there's MORE! There's MORE! There's MORE!!!