Ezekiel 37 [as paraphrased by Marisa Hofer]

Marisa shared her version of Ezekiel 37 at the OMNI Story Sunday gathering on 9 August 2009...

I stood in the middle of a dusty valley, surrounded by very dry bones.

Long skeleton fingers inched graspingly along the barren ground in search of a drink that would quench their brittle bodies. The dry bones cracked and moaned in their search, only accomplishing to crash into each other, causing a stifling chalky dust to rise up all around. The thick residue floated up into the heavens where God sat and caught it into His hands.

The Lord called out, “Give my life to these bones! Walk amongst them proclaiming and showing them my Water of Life.” I looked around at the dirty helpless bones, trying to avoid the oppressive dust. Chocking out I said, “Stand and have life bones.” The bones creaked and with wobbly legs tried to lift themselves up but they still were too dry and brittle. They crashed down to the ground splintering and shattering more than they ever had been.

Their white knuckled fists rose up and clattering shook at me in disgust. Strange hollow voices sinisterly said, “Go away you hypocrite! Your words are empty!” Stunned, I fell to the ground grabbing my head in shame and accusing God, “God! I did what you commanded! I read and spoke your words! Why do you turn from me?!” As I knelt amongst the dry bones my heart filled with bitterness. Slowly, I realized my hands that held my head were hard and cold – I put them in front of my face with horror…they too were bones! I sobbed tears of shame, realizing it was I who had turned away. The valley grew still. A soft whispering breeze brushed upon my check, “Give me all of you…I love you, come and take up my cross and follow me fully, for my plans for you are great.”

Broken, I lifted my hands to the heavens knowing that those words had been speaking to me for a long time. I stood and wiped my tears. Looking out into the valley of bones and with words that now held love, truth and boldness, I bent down, lifted up a skeleton and said, “He loves you, come, be filled with the Living Water.”

As the skeleton took my support and listened to my words, the dust in God’s hands sifted down onto its dry head, and muscles, tendons and flesh appeared upon its frame.

A life had been reborn and the Lord smiled. Lifting my hands in praise and gratitude, I saw that they too now had flesh and life upon them!