I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10
Jesus came to give us abundant life. Are you experiencing that life? I admit that many times I would have to answer no. I have received the gift of eternal life, but I don’t always live in the fullness of that reality - the certainty of His presence and power abiding with me through the Spirit.
The life that He offers is through Him alone. Maybe that explains why my soul feels dry at times. There are large parts of life that I am used to doing without Him, not intentionally, but just neglectfully. Doing things on my own is a habit. I’m not experiencing abundant life because I’m blind to the presence of the Life–Giver.
Ezekiel spoke to the Israelites in captivity. God showed him in a vision a valley of dry bones. The people had forsaken God and this was the result. They were lifeless, like sunbaked bones in the desert.
Apart from God, we are like those dry bones. Whether we have abandoned God or are just neglecting our relationship with Him, we will wither and die. That’s not what God wants. Even with the promise of eternal life given, He also wants us to experience a fullness of life now.
The Talmud records a saying: Every blade of grass has an angel that bends over it and whispers, 'Grow’!
That’s a beautiful picture of God being for us. If even a blade of grass is cheered on, how much more His children? Growth is a sign of life and vitality.
Ezekiel, whose name means “God will strengthen,” strengthened the Israelites with words of hope from God.
In the midst of the dry bones, God then declared, “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live. Ezekiel 37:14
Jesus came to give life and He sent the Spirit to be with us so we can experience that now. Sometimes I walk through the valley of dry bones. It feels dead, lifeless, and empty. When I realize that I’ve been trying to do things on my own strength, without Him, I can return to the Life-Giver.
I want to stick close to Jesus. He came to give life, abundant life. He whispers in my ear words of encouragement and hope. Grow! Live! Thrive! Which can only be done in His presence. Yes, He came to save me, but also to give life here and now.
