“He said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord GOD, you know.’Ezekiel 37:3

That was a very pertinent – and important! – question God asked Ezekiel. “Can these bones live?” Caught up in the Exile, many people supposed they would never see their homeland again. In fact, God says later to Ezekiel (v. 11), “’Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’” The people, who had experienced the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Temple, indeed felt lost. Had God forgotten them?

That’s a question that may have plagued many of us. God, are you there? Have you forgotten me? There are those times in life when we may feel abandoned on many fronts. It’s not just being “out of sorts,” as the expression goes, but a sense that God is far from us. Imagine what if must have felt like for those who were carried into Babylonian captivity. Alone. Away from the familiar. Maybe their families dead. And going to a foreign land. And one they knew little to nothing about.

During this season of Lent, as we reflect on our journey with Christ, such feelings, whether past or present, may well to the surface. They may cause great stress and anxiety. Maybe, the “light at the end of the tunnel” may not be even a glimmer. Hope? We may have none. But, it’s not the end. That’s God’s promise. Remember when the eleven disciples gathered with Jesus on the mountain prior to his ascension? His promise to them is God’s same promise to us: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

When I feel the darkness creeping in, that statement is heartening, reminding me that God’s abiding presence is with me always, even when despair sets in and God seems very distant. I’m thankful and grateful for the promise of scripture such as appears at the end of Matthew’s gospel. As one theologian said (and I can’t remember who), God is as close as our next breath. The Holy Spirit abides in us, guiding us through the most difficult of times.

As we approach Easter, there are still “dark days” before us. On Palm/Passion Sunday we are reminded that the joyous entry into Jerusalem ends with cries of “Crucify him!” And, we can’t experience the joy of Easter morning without having witnessed the cross on Good Friday. Maybe, during tough times, we can hark back to the words of the psalmist: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. . . ‘Be still, and know that I am God!’” (Psalm 46:1, 10a). Remember, the journey of a 1000 miles begins with one step. And the step after that, and the step after that. Such is this journey we are on. God is with us! That is not just good news. It is great news!

Grace and peace,

Mike

April 2, 2017