WATCHWORD:
1-2 God grabbed me. God’s Spirit took me up and set me down in the middle of an open plain strewn with bones. He led me around and among them—a lot of bones! There were bones all over the plain—dry bones, bleached by the sun. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Master God, only you know that.” 4 He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones: ‘Dry bones, listen to the Message of God!”
10 So I prophesied, just as he commanded me. The breath entered them and they came alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army. 11 Then God said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Listen to what they’re saying: ‘Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, there’s nothing left of us.’ 12 “Therefore, prophesy. Tell them, ‘God, the Master, says: I’ll dig up your graves and bring you out alive—O my people! Then I’ll take you straight to the land of Israel. 13 When I dig up graves and bring you out as my people, you’ll realize that I am God. 14 I’ll breathe my life into you and you’ll live. Then I’ll lead you straight back to your land and you’ll realize that I am God. I’ve said it and I’ll do it. God’s Decree.’ ” Ezekiel 37:1-4, 10-14
Meditation:
What’s Next?
What’s next? In the 1999 TV series, West Wing, there are multiple episodes where the President, played by Martin Sheen, after hearing all the discussion on a topic, asks the question, ‘What’s next?’ which signals the end of one topic, now it is the time to move on to the next. What’s next?
For the apostles, the believers of Jesus and members of The Way, the temple and the tongues of fire and wind is behind them. What the Master had promised, the Holy Spirit, was now within. Their brief time with Jesus on earth was over and, yes, they knew the lessons, the memories were clear; what they have seen and heard. But, now, there on that street in Jerusalem, at that time, the was question, what’s next?
That question might be on our lips, but fearfully stated. Indeed, what will be next? The pandemic is still with us, different strains, but still here. The airways are all filled with the flames of violence, evil, rhetoric that simply defies truth and common sense. A new fear may rest with us as we worry about friends and members of our family in vulnerable areas of this country. Their cry may change to ‘Dear God, what is next?’
In truth, there is no different between you and I, and than those walking away from the temple in Jerusalem on that day of Pentecost. The promised Holy Spirit is within us. The words of Jesus echo in our hearts, ’fear not for I am with you’. But it is hard not to worry, and it is natural to be concerned for loved ones beyond the reach of our hand. That is the nature of love, after all.
The call that we are stronger together still holds true. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou are near me. And there are other calls: ‘One nation, under God, with liberty for all’, a goal we never quite reached, but now we must. What’s next? Addressing evil for what it is, and moving on to healing. To strength and courage.
Have you ever noticed that it is much easier to do something than to exercise our faith and trust in God? We see the activity and the violence, and mistake panic for inspiration. Can a sinner be turned into a saint? “He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?” Can a twisted life be made right? There is only one appropriate answer – “O Lord God, You know”.
What’s next? You, me, each of us, we have a “next”, directed by the Holy Spirit that is speaking to us, right now, this moment. There are others to calm, others to comfort, others to share our much with their little, others to pray for, others to share our faith and speak forgiveness to all. The time is now to do something and trust in God. That’s what’s next. And He says to us, empathically, ‘Be still, and Know that I am God.’ Amen.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I commit my life, my family and loved ones, all of our affairs from yesterday, today and tomorrow into your able hands. Please Lord, help me to seek you in everything I do, not just when I want to make big decisions or when I face difficulty. My life is in your hands, Lord. Amen.
