WATCHWORD:
1-3 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. He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Master God, only you know that.”
12-14 “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. When I dig up graves and bring you out as my people, you’ll realize that I am God. 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 37:1-3, 10-12
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 is the time to move on to the next. What’s next?
The TV series is fiction, what we are currently experiencing is not fiction, although, one has to wonder. Our own military on the streets of our nation! Who would have imagined? A sign of the inability to govern with compassion and empathy? Again, one has to wonder.
For the apostles, the followers of Jesus, and members of The Way, the temple is behind them. The tongues of fire and the wind is behind. What the Master had promised, the Holy Spirit, was now within them. 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, the question: What’s next?
That question might be on our lips, but fearfully stated. Indeed, what will be next? A new fear may rest with us as we worry about friends and neighbors in vulnerable areas of this country. Are we in danger of shedding our Christian commitments, our love of Jesus Christ? That cry may change to ‘Dear God, what is next?’
In truth, we are no different 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, if it is not beyond our…reach. What’s next? Calling evil for what it is?
Have you ever noticed that it is much easier to do something than to 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. There are others to calm, others to comfort, 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 is what’s next. And He says to us, empathically, ‘Be still, and Know that I am God.’ Amen.
Praying Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Amen
