It’s a mad dash between trying to get the rebellious four-year-old to nap and dabbing on enough under-eye concealer to look presentable while finishing the imminently due assignment before dashing out the door. The crowded campus parking lot with narrow spots is easy to navigate compared to the skill it takes to delegate kids’ schedules in order to pull away from the fray.
I climb the final flight of stairs slightly huffing and make it to my seat with but a breath of time to spare. I look west out the picture windows that span the length of the classroom — foothills and trees and a bustling street, reminders of life and all that keeps breathing.
We do introductions, then go over the course syllabus for English 510: Literature and the Bible. “Now let’s dive into our first class activity,” the professor says. “Turn with me to Ezekiel chapter 37.”
He reads from The Message version a story about dry bones. God grabbed me. God’s Spirit took me up and set me down in the middle of an open plain strewn with bones.
I follow along on my Bible app, taking in the story to the cadence of the professor’s voice.
He stammers a bit but my eyes stay locked on the words. So I prophesied, just as he commanded me. Then breath entered them and they came alive!
I glance up and understand the cause of the professor’s pause. He’s choked up. Trying hard to swallow the lump in his throat and not let the welling tears spill over.
He regains his composure and finishes the passage. I’ll breathe my life into you and you’ll live. Then I’ll lead you straight back to your land and you’ll realize that I am God. I’ve said it and I’ll do it.
The white-haired professor’s eyes are rimmed a bit red. He cracks a smile and gently shakes his head. He’s been teaching for 37 years and didn’t expect to get emotional, he explains. Then instead of launching into an explanation of the literary devices used in the text or discussing how this passage mirrors another piece of literature, the man behind the podium looks out into the eyes of each attentive grad student and says this:
“As we study the Bible this semester, it’s not just academic — it’s the Word of God. You can study the Bible, as many have, and not believe it. But I believe it. As Christians, the Holy Spirit speaks through the Word. I feel like this course would be a failure if it were only academic.”
Now the instructor isn’t the only one visibly moved.
It’s true, we could spend three hours every Wednesday afternoon dissecting Scripture and analyzing literature and that would be fine. The professor would get paid and the students would earn a grade. But my dear professor understands that the Bible isn’t just another book. It’s the living Word, breathed into Spirit-inspired life by the same God who resurrected dry bones alive and who wants to do life-breathing work in us too.
And it makes me think, what other areas in our lives could we get by with “fine” yet miss out on the fullness of God’s Word and the possibility of experiencing new life?
What if we believed God could breathe life into the weariness of motherhood? Meet us in the middle of the bewitching hour, homework meltdowns, and bedtime battles with living hope?
What if God doesn’t want us just to pin a verse on the bulletin board at work, but He wants us to pin the Word to our hearts and believe it? Be changed by it?
What if we didn’t slink through our church Bible study or morning quiet time in sulky obligation for the satisfaction of a spiritual box checked off? What if we asked God to use His Word to choke us up with the beauty and power of Truth so that we might see new life spring forth from the most barren, unlikely places?
It’s a lot to juggle a master’s program with work and ministry and three active boys. Sometimes doubt creeps in and I wonder if it’s worth it. But now more than ever I’m convinced that going to class each week won’t just be an exercise in scholarly learning but an opportunity for spiritual maturing.
I think we’ve all got some dry bones in our personal valley. Let’s ask God this year to breathe new life in them and then watch in believing expectation.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Becky,
I was really touched by the part of your story where your professor teared up at the scripture that he was reading. I asked myself, when was the last time I teared up when reading God’s Word? Oh, that it would move me to the depths of my soul, that I would have no control over the awe and gratitude that would well up inside me! My “word” for 2017 is “fire”. I strongly desire to be “on fire” for the Lord, but I know that in order for there to be any flame, there needs to be a fuel source – and that fuel source is His Word. Unless I’m in it on a daily basis (and I don’t mean one line of scripture as obligation), my life will always be lukewarm. He can’t breath life into these dry bones of mine unless I give Him permission. I do that by meditating on His Word. Loved this inspiring post. How easy it is to drift along in the ho-hum…your class sounds like a real winner!
Blessings,
Bev
Becky Keife says
Bev, I’m right there with you! I want to be a woman who is moved by the power of the Living Word. May we never get over, become calloused to, the gift of Scripture and the love of God behind every word. I love your one word and heart to know the Lord more deeply this year. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
Janice says
Beautiful!!!
B r a v o and thank you both!
I just heard Dry Bones a song on KLov radio and though. ” where is this on the Bible “?
Becky Keife says
That’s awesome, Janice! I don’t think I’ve heard that song. I’ll have to look it up.
Heather says
Lauren Daigle is the artist. My word for this year is “breathe” and since choosing it I’m seeing it everywhere. Today a friend sent me a devotional around Ezekial 37 and also Genesis 2. God creates and re-creates life, the Holy Spirit is the breath of God bringing us to life.
I’m often embarrassed at how easily I cry when praying or talking about God. But I’m starting to understand that this is a gift, to be so moved. Thank you for your story today. It was perfect.
Becky Keife says
A gift to be so moved. Yes, Heather, I think it is, too! I’m also very tenderhearted and I used to feel like my sensitivity was a liability, but God is showing me how it’s part of my divine wiring, a reflection of part of His character. Keep *breathe*ing in the Word and Spirit, surely the Lord has great plans for new life for you this year.
Ros says
Dear Becky,
I can’t thank you enough for your post! I’ve followed this site for some months & been touched by so many of the posts, but this was something else.. I thank God that He used you & your professor to, I believe, totally transform my life!
God’s Spirit used it to just totally overwhelm me, with His conviction to pray into so many dead bone areas in my life & my family’s life, brought about by circumstances outside my control, situations I had resigned myself to – that the status quo was what God wanted in my life – for now..
Now – I have REALLY prayed & prophesied into those dead bone areas – most lasting 25 years & I now believe THESE BONES SHALL LIVE with the BREATH OF GOD in them!
Thank you!
Ros
Becky Keife says
Oh, Ros, I wish you could see the Spirit-chills running up and down my arms and legs. Only God. Only God knows the truth we need exactly when we need it and how our hearts can be receive it. I’m humbled and grateful to know how He used this post to reach into your life today. I’m praying with you for new life in those dry bones! He is able! Much love, sister.
Katie Wilson says
Thank you so much for sharing! I am praying and believing for a “dry bones come alive” kinda year! I am tearing up just typing that! And what a blessing to have teachers out there who are still moved, and not afraid to show it, by the beauty and power of God’s Word! GoGod Katie psalm8110.com
Becky Keife says
I love that, Katie! Praying and believing for a “dry bones come alive” kinda year! Me, too!
Leslie M. says
OH MY GOODNESS I NEEDED this today – God’s timing is perfect…I am in the middle of my Master’s degree in Counseling while working a counseling job and trying to be a wife and mother still. The amount of work and the deadlines in my class that just started this week seems overwhelming to me as I tried to keep up this week alone and not even think about the paper due in 3 weeks and the video in 5 weeks wondering how to do it all. I’ve considered dropping the course and been praying. I felt as if God was saying NO don’t drop it and last night heard something on our Christian radio station that seemed to clarify that too – and now this morning I read your post. I KNOW He is saying (through you) He WILL breathe into me these next 8 (now 7) weeks and I need to stick with it and rely on HIM. THANK YOU. May you be blessed as you have blessed me.
Becky Keife says
Leslie, I never stop being amazed at how God works and weaves messages and hope through His children in ways that can only be described as divine. I am so right there with you, girl, in needed God’s continual wisdom, strength, and grace to persevere through this intense season of balancing work, grad school, and family. I’m so blessed this post reached you at just the right time! Many blessings on your journey.
Kelli McKnight says
This story is the perfect slice of encouragement I needed this morning. Oh, that we would all be choked up with the beauty and truth of Gods word. May it sink down into our dry bones. YES!
Becky Keife says
Thank you so much, Kelli. So glad you’re here.
Marie says
As a teacher, if I can reach just one as you’ve been reached, I will know God has shone through.
What a blessing! Well written.
Marie
Becky Keife says
Surely God is using you in your classroom also, Marie, as you fix our eyes on Him. Love your heart for teaching and the Lord you’ve expressed here. Thanks for reading.
Cecelia says
Thank you for sharing such an inspiring experience!!
May God breathe into my life today and touch other lives through His power and Presence as I go about the activities of this day.
In my life LORD, be glorified!!
Becky Keife says
Amen and amen! Thanks for sharing, Cecelia! So glad to have your voice of affirmation and encouragement here.
Elise says
This! This portion of scripture is exactly what I’ve been praying over all my decayed teeth – and now I’m reminded and encouraged to pray over so many areas of life. Motherhood, especially. I needed this, friend. God-timed. God chill-bumps and near-tears while reading. Thank you for strengthening my faith this morning!
Becky Keife says
His grace is so good, so far reaching, and faithful. You are a life-breathing source on my journey, dear friend. Thanks so much for this response, Elise. Praying with you!
Andrea says
I so very much needed to read this today… A day when I pledged again, and asked friends to hold me accountable, to spending time daily with Jesus, time spent restoring my relationship with him… Breathing life into dry bones.
Thank you for sharing and encouraging.
Becky Keife says
Andrea, I’ve been there before, too. Asking God for the desire to desire Him is a valuable and honest starting point. He loves you dearly and is excited to spend time with YOU. The God of new life has great things in store for your restoration this year. Praying and believing Him for it with you, friend.
Brenda says
Becky,
Thank you for sharing this life giving experience. My guess is all of us have some dry bone areas in our lives where we need the breath of life to move in. This was so touching, and that sweet professor–what a blessing!
Becky Keife says
Brenda, this morning on my run I was asking God to breathe life in the dry bone-areas of my life that I’m not even aware of, that I don’t even recognize as having the possibility of new life. I think sometimes the dry bones are staring us heart-breakingly in the face and other times we have to first seek and believe to even see them. Praying that wherever you’re at today you’ll start to see new life!
Rebecca L Jones says
God Word does speak to people but the Holy Spirit in us also speaks to us, we must learn to discern that voice, and we are supposed to follow after love and desire spiritual gifts one of which is prophesy. I think I’m going to be speaking to my dry bones today. God breathed on Adam to become a living soul soul, so much of our lives can be stolen by cares of the world. I pray He breathes life more abundantly to us today, and something else we also need His peace, I have been speaking peace to my own body for healing and also peace to the body of Christ. We all need His fire and also His rest.
Becky Keife says
Peace, fire, rest — yes! You’re exactly right, Rebecca. We need all of that from the Lord. And when we seek His face, His Word, and walk in the Spirit He is powerful and gracious to provide abundantly for what we need. Blessings to you today.
Sarah says
Well done, Becky. It sounds like you’re getting a lot out of life. I hope you get your MA.
Becky Keife says
Thanks, Sarah! I appreciate that. 🙂
Jamie says
I’ve got three boys too! The day to day can make me feel so dry. Thank you for sharing this and reminding me that God breathes life.
Becky Keife says
Jamie, I always feel a kindred-connection with moms of many boys! I SO know what you mean. The people we love the most and often make us feel the most worn and weary. Praying new life in this season of motherhood for both of us! Thanks for being here and saying hello. <3
May Patterson says
Beautiful idea, Becky, about the fullness of God’s Word that we can so often miss! I love your line about having dry bones in our own personal valley and watching in believing expectation for God to breathe life into them. I needed to hear that today! Thank you for the uplifting words. Miss you California friend!
Becky Keife says
May! Thanks so much for joining me here at (in)courage today and for your encouraging words. I’m blessed to know this post was timely for you. Miss you, too! If you’re ever out in Southern California I would love to connect with you again. Much love.
Lora says
I just read this passage this week in Ezekiel, so the timing of your post was perfect. What a strange passage, but how powerful. Such a good reminder that God is the life giver and is able to breathe into our dead places. Hope.
Becky Keife says
Hope indeed. And hope brought to life in unexpected ways. Only God. Thanks for your comment, Lora.
StephanieZam10 says
Love this! This really touched my heart Becky! Thank you for sharing ❤
Becky Keife says
It was my joy to share, Stephanie! Thanks for being here. 🙂
Beth Williams says
Becky,
Wow!! A professor who doesn’t just teach the Bible, but also feels it! May we all get into His word and get on fire for Him. I pray I can do better this year-not just reading the Bible daily but digesting each passage for meaning. God has renewed my love for Him. He allowed me to witness 2 big miracles in the last few years. I know for sure that only He could have done this. Praise God for professors who really get into their work!
Praying for you and others in school, working and parenting. May God provide the necessary strength and endurance you will need!
Blessings for 2017!
Becky Keife says
Beth, what a blessing it is to read your comment. Thank you for sharing. Praising God with you for the miraculous work you have witnessed and the things He will continue to do in your life. Thank you for your prayers. I’ll take ’em! 🙂
Keri McCue says
This is the third article I have read this week about God breathing life into dry bones…okay God, I get it!!! There is an area in my life that frustrates me to no end. An area I feel is dry. I have been praying so passionately for God to give me the words to say to spark some life into this area. All these posts I have read are just confirmation of His promise to me. Thank you for this 🙂