It’s not Dead; It’s Dormant!
While attending a conference recently, I heard a speaker refer to Death Valley in California. He spoke of something known as the “Super Bloom.”
According to the U.S. National Parks Service, “Death Valley is famous as the hottest place on earth and driest place in North America. The world record highest air temperature of 134°F (57°C) was recorded at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913. Summer temperatures often top 120°F (49°C) in the shade with overnight lows dipping into the 90s°F (mid-30s°C.) Average annual rainfall is less than 2 inches (5 cm), a fraction of what most deserts receive.”
HOWEVER, about every ten years, this desert receives exceptionally more rain, and it experiences what some have called the “Super Bloom.”
Alan Van Valenburn, park ranger, describes it this way, "There are so many seeds out there just waiting to sprout, just waiting to grow.” He goes on to say, “When you get the perfect conditions, the perfect storm, so to speak, those seeds could all sprout at once."
Scripture
Ezekiel 37:1-10
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
Points to Ponder
· I literally have a tension in my throat as I fashion these words. It’s a good tension – no – it’s a great tension. It’s one of anticipation that somehow this a most-fitting realization of the potential that God has assigned within all of creation – especially within his masterpieces – you and me!
· After being escorted through this valley of dry bones, the prophet Ezekiel is posed with the question, “Can these bones live?” I am so encouraged by the prophet’s answer. Basically, he says, “I’m not real sure, but you know for sure, LORD.” That’s where I am on my faith journey. I want the Lord to find me faithful enough to expose me to new challenges where I cannot easily and confidently answer, “yes,” out of my own understanding and experience. I must respond to his promptings and the faith he has made available to me.
· I find it so challenging that these bones were not dead but only dormant! They looked dead – more than dead, really. They were, “very,” dry. How many situations are we navigating with others that feel much the same – dead, dry, very dry? May our hearts be enlightened to not mistake dormancy for death.
· The process of nurturing things from dormancy to vibrancy is serious work. Certainly, there are times where we see a miracle where the work is completed instantaneously. My grandfather is a great example of this. He often testified of being an alcoholic, but in an instant, when he turned his life over to Christ, that desire for alcohol was taken away never to return. That is a glorious testimony. But others’ experiences are different. That work of deliverance is a process. There is a step of the dry bones rattling as they connect, then tendons and flesh attach, and God breathes again into those bodies, and they experience life. The process doesn’t stop there. They stand to their feet and assemble as a vast army.
· Do you recall the words of the park ranger describing the bloom in the desert? There are so many seeds out there just waiting to sprout. Now, recall with me how the writer of Psalm 1 describes the one who meditates on the Word, day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers. May we nurture such a life-giving, growth-oriented dependence upon the written and living Word of God that we bring prospering to whatever and whoever we are engaged with.
41 Cents Application
The four coins this week represent opportunities to speak words of life to things in dormancy. Each day, look for those conditions in us and all around us. That call to discipline in a certain area of your life where you once had gained traction but are now experiencing dormancy – God is highlighting that. Plant and water that area once again and see God cause it to grow. That discouragement from stepping into something new that did not lead to success – God is directing to ask him about that. Hear his words of instruction. That place where a bitter root has choked intended growth – God is urging you to welcome his sweet healing. He will speak to you about things in your life this week. He will highlight opportunities to encourage others and speak life into dormancy around you. Each time you do this, transfer a coin.
Prayer
Father, you are the God of the bloom in the desert. You are the God of the dry bones that come to life. It’s your breath in our lungs that sustains us. It’s your saturating rains on the desert places that brings life and purpose to the dormant things. I want to see the super bloom in my own life. I want to see the super bloom in others. Open the eyes of my heart to truly see you at work. I will speak life to those dormant places in my life and the lives of those around me. In the name of Jesus Christ, of whom the desert with rejoice and blossom like a rose, AMEN!