Day 33: From Dry Bones to Living Breath

   

March 22

by Kim Yoshino

Readings:

Ezek 37:12-14

John 11:1-45

Reflection:

Lent invites us into honest reflection—not to dwell on darkness, but to make space for God to bring new life where we least expect it. Even if Lent is unfamiliar, its central question is deeply human: Where do we need God to breathe again?

Earlier in Ezekiel 37, God leads the prophet into a valley filled with dry bones: symbols of exhaustion, loss, and hopelessness. These bones are not just dead; they are very dry. Yet, God asks Ezekiel a startling question: “Can these bones live?” To us, the answer is an obvious “no.” We do not have the power to bring fresh bones back to life, let alone bones that have dried. Thankfully, the answer does not depend on human strength or optimism, but on God’s power to restore. When God speaks, bones reconnect, breath enters, and what was lifeless stands again. This vision reminds us that no situation is too far gone for God’s renewing Spirit, and verses 12 to 14 are a resounding promise that the Lord will restore his people.

In John 11, we encounter another scene of grief and waiting. Lazarus is dead, and Jesus arrives later than expected. Martha believes in resurrection someday, but Jesus gently shifts her focus: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Although it may have felt too late to Mary, Martha, and their grieving family, Jesus intentionally timed his arrival for just the right moment. Jesus sacrifices his safety to sit with us in our pain. In fact, before Lazarus walks out of the tomb, Jesus wept. God does not rush past our pain. Resurrection begins not with the denial of grief, but with presence in it.

Lent creates space to name the places in us that feel dry or sealed away: Our habits, hopes, or wounds we’ve stopped believing can change. The good news of both passages is that God meets us there. God speaks life into valleys and calls us out of tombs, not by our effort, but by his grace.

As we move toward Easter, Lent invites us to listen for God’s voice again, trusting that where God speaks, life follows.

Questions for Reflection:

Where in your life do you feel like you are waiting for breath? 

What might it look like to invite God into that space during this season?

Song:

Come Alive by Lauren Daigle

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