Royston First United Methodist Church

“…suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.” – Ezekiel 37:7

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING: Ezekiel 35-38

When we think of resurrection, we often think of resurrection as a one time occurrence. But here in Ezekiel, we discover that resurrection is not a limited experience. Ezekiel prophesies about dry bones rising and coming to life. These bones represented Israel and were representative of God restoring Israel. Israel had been disobedient. Israel had worshipped other gods. Israel had turned away from God. Yet, God never gave up on Israel and God shows awillingness to breathe new life into Israel.

Several years ago, a good friend of mine began a new ministry for homeless families in downtown Atlanta called RATL (Restoration ATL). The mission of this new ministry was to bring God’s restoration into the lives of those experiencing homelessness and bring restoration to Atlanta. He believed that resurrection was possible in these situations. God is still bringing resurrection into our lives today!

How are you experiencing resurrection in your life? I believe we will see it in many ways as we rebuild our lives, our communities, and our church in theyears following this current health pandemic. I believe we will see resurrection in the hope that God will reveal to each of us as continue to wrestle with questions about our faith. I believe we will see resurrection in those individuals who have turned from God, disobeyed God, and worshipped other gods. I believe God is bringing resurrection into our ives today and breathing new life into these dry bones!

Maybe you have been feeling weary. Maybe your faith has been feeling like those dry bones. This Sunday is the perfect Sunday to experience a rattling as God brings new life to your soul. Have a great weekend and I look forward to being with you in worship online beginning Sunday at 8:45 AM and on campus at 9:30 an 11:00!

Blessings,
Matt

P.S. The North Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church will be holding our annual conference virtually on Saturday, August 29. Janet Brown, our lay leader, and I will be attending the conference, and we would ask for your prayers. Like most things this year, we recognize this conference will be very different than previous years. But we are excited to hear about what God is doing in the United Methodist Church throughout north Georgia, and we look forward to reporting back to you after the virtual conference next weekend.