Time to reconnect

 

Ezekiel chapter 37 speaks of a valley full of bones; these bones represent people who are spiritually lifeless. Lifeless with no useful purpose because they weren’t connected in a body. These scattered bones were very dry.

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”  – Ezekiel 37:1-3 (NIV)

There are 206 bones of varying shapes and sizes in an adult human body. And each of these bones is of special significance in that, connected, they make up the solid framework of the body.

The Hebrew word for “bone” is “etsem” which also bears the meaning, “substance” or “essence” – symbolic of one’s core or innermost self – that part of us which provides stability and strength.

There are times when even though we’ve gone through the process of spiritual regeneration, for one reason or another, we become spiritually parched, empty and useless, like very dry bones.

At some point along the path, we experience a disconnect where we seem to function but really have nothing to give. Our connection to God feels as if it’s broken and we’re unable to connect, even with other people, in any meaningful way.

If this happens to anyone who is serious about their spiritual journey, then they must determine to re-establish and maintain a connection to God through the Holy Spirit within.

The dry bones of Ezekiel’s vision may have, at first, spoken of hopeless death but with God there is always the hope of resurrection and restoration even if your bones are very dry. When the Lord asked Ezekiel can these bones live, Ezekiel gave a wise response.

“Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” – Ezekiel 37:3 (NIV)

Ezekiel understood that it is God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not (ref. Romans 4:17). Even though God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones, the power of resurrection lies with God.

The time to reconnect had come. Ezekiel was obedient to God’s direction and guidance and there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone (Ezekiel 37:7 NIV).

Reconnection happened right before Ezekiel’s eyes – bodies stood up but now all they needed was the breath of God to bring them to life. When God breathed into them, what was once dead became alive, and what was once broken was restored.

Beloved, nothing is beyond the reach of God and God is not beyond your reach. If you’re feeling disconnected from Him and others in any way, the time to reconnect is now.

Reconnection entails God’s quickening of your spirit, but you must offer yourself to Him again, allowing Him to breathe life into your life. Be obedient to His instruction, direction and guidance. If God tells you to prophesy over your dry bone circumstances, then prophesy.

Know that Ezekiel’s vision of hope is still relevant today.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Time to reconnect” © 2026 September 2, 2026