I admit it – I do not have a green thumb. Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you most of the plants under my care die slow, silent deaths. It is not intentional on my part. Even with best efforts, my poor plants aren’t getting the nourishment and care that they need to stay healthy and grow. It has become a source of amusement within my family. Nothing stays alive.
DEAD IN 2 MONTH’S TIME
And so, I was gifted a beautiful potted flowering plant for Mother’s Day from my daughter-in-law. By the way, she IS gifted with a green thumb. She likes to gently remind me that my thumb is black. This lovely plant was doomed to the same fate as the others. Ironically, the flowerpot was decorated with the lyrics to the song “Stayin’ Alive, Stayin’ Alive”. Perhaps her hope was that by invoking those words, somehow the plant would survive in my care. But regrettably, the beautiful plant was dead in two months’ time. Dead. Dead. Without any hope of being restored to life.
the life restoration business
Thankfully for us, our God is in the life-restoration business. Staying alive is His delight. In the book of Ezekiel, we read of God’s promise of restoration after His judgment on the nation of Israel. The Israelites fell into sin and rebellion. This results in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. The Israelites’ destination is captivity in Babylon. They definitely were not singing, “Stayin Alive”.
without hope of life
It was during that time that Ezekiel received the vision of a valley of dead bones, a dark illustration of the spiritually dead condition of the people of Israel. Any restoration seemed impossible. The people truly believed that there was no way out of their current situation. Like my plants, it would seem they were without hope of life.
god gives life to the dead
But God is faithful in keeping his promises. In the vision, God instructs Ezekiel to speak to the bones; to tell them that He will breathe new life into them. Ezekiel obeyed God’s instructions. Piece by piece, the bones come together, revived by the breath of God’s Spirit. The revival of the dry, dead bones is God’s affirmation of the restoration of the nation of Israel. “And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:14) God’s message was clear. The Israelites’ future depends on God’s power and not on anything that they might accomplish. The nation of Israel will experience not only physical restoration, but spiritual renewal as well. God gives life to the dead.
god’s green thumb
Is God at work making you spiritually alive? Are you looking to God’s Word for your spiritual nourishment? Is He your Gardener? God recognizes that we not only have physical needs, but spiritual needs as well. Don’t let your bones get dry. No matter how bad we mess up in life, God offers to give us new life. The Holy Spirit breathes life and strength when we are weak and barren. He will ensure that we are “Stayin’ Alive” as we follow in the truth and knowledge of his word. “I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”
To bring a smile to your face, view a Christian re-write of Stayin Alive