'Dem Bones

The first 'Guerreiros' (Warriors) Program went down this past Saturday. And it really felt like it went down- downhill. It was pretty hectic, 23 boys showed up for it, which initially seemed like a real blessing and cool opportunity. But difficulties were pretty rampant throughout the program.

I have been reflecting on that afternoon a lot lately, and too often I get down on things like this where my big visions of how things will be turn out quite differently.

While praying today, God directed me to Ezekiel 37 and He really spoke to me.

It starts: 'The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley, it was full of bones.'

"Drew, I brought you here, I have been guiding this whole process of bringing you here."
And it has been to the middle of a valley, full of bones. Bones of alcoholism, drugs, violence, abuse, complacent belief in God. Praise God that there are indeed signs of vibrant life in believers here, but one cannot ignore the mountain of bones towering out of the valley.

'And there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold they were very dry.'

I believe that I am more gifted in discipling believers than evangelizing, but it seems like it is a place of a multitude of very dry bones. And I feel inadequate with this task.

'Son of man, can these bones live?'

That was the kicker. "Drew, do you believe I can transform this place? These people?"

'O LORD God, You know. '

'Then He said to me, 'Prophesy over these bones and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live... you shall know that I am the LORD.'

When we are discouraged, we must remember who it is that stands behind us and is sending us to spread the word of His gospel.

'So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army (Guerrerios).'

Will God cause breath to enter the bones and raise up this great army of Guerreiros in this community? O LORD God, You know. And that is enough for me to continue.