Today our pastor preached from Ezekial 37 when God told Ezekial to prophesy to the dry bones. He pointed out that first the bones heard the word of God and then the Spirit filled them. If ever a sermon has been written just for me, this is it. I’m between Bible studies right now and have not been very consistent in spending time in God’s word, not to mention the fact that I still haven’t figured out how to manage time alone to study since baby #2 was born. And I’m feeling it.
I miss digging deep. I miss listening. I miss learning. And, I miss teaching because let’s face it…you can’t teach if you don’t study. That was the gist of the sermon, too. Hear the word. Be filled with the Spirit. Then stand like the dry bones did and be ready to serve.
The question is: how? How can I spend enough time focused on His Word when I feel I never get to focus on anything?
First: Priorities. I have to make it my priority to spend time in God’s Word each morning. And then I have to do it.
Second: I need to change my expectations…can I spend an uninterrupted hour studying? Probably not, but I can keep my Bible open throughout the day and turn to it again and again for guidance, encouragement and comfort. I read a quote from Ruth Bell Graham recently, explaining that is very often what she did when her children were young. It was such an encouragement to me to know she had felt the same way at times, and I loved being given a simple suggestion for remaining in the Word.
Because I need to. Because without Him, I’m just dry bones.
Jesus said, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Good stuff….very encouraging!!!!