Bible Studies

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The fabric lay on the cold, hard ground; wrinkled and soiled by the dry, dusty soils. Strong hands worked at stretching it out beyond the heavy canvas bag which had held it tightly for several weeks. The early morning sky held little promise of light or warmth. An impenetrable silence hung over the pre-dawn ritual and muffled the conversations between the heavily bundled workers as they struggled against the reticent fabric and the bitter cold air. Only a thermos with the dregs of morning coffee held any promise of warmth. Their struggle with the lifeless fabric continued.

A man, looking to the darkened sky signaled that it was time. The motor from the large fan sputtered to life and its wind began to blow across the fabric. Ripples of cloth came to life and billowed upward as the air from the fan continued to flow. The strong hands continued to pull at the material, opening up pockets for the air to fill. The chatter from the workers grew louder to overcome the noise. Excitement began to replace their thoughts of cold and fatigue. Hope began to stir throughout the scene. The winter sky began to lighten with the promise of the rising sun.

Then a flame came to life; a roaring flame emitting light and heat. The fan continued to blow across the flame, forcing the heated air into the expanding canopy. Every deadened corner of the fabric opened to receive the promise of warm air. As one, the threads of cloth held its captured bounty and began to lift into the morning air. The first rays of the rising sun struck, revealing a brilliance of colors that had been hidden by the grayness of the early morning.

The basket lifted from the ground and a cheer emanated from the gathering throng. New life sprung into the hearts of those who watched as the glorious fabric, resplendently blooming, floated aloft, fulfilling its destiny and purpose; bringing life, hope, and majesty to the world.

Closing Prayer:

Holy Lord: Come and fill our dead and broken lives with your Spirit. Bring the hope of eternal life into the dark recesses of our lives. Fill us with your love. Give us the strength and wisdom to believe in your love. Help us to turn our anxieties, worries, and feelings of hopelessness over to your care. Teach us to rely on your guiding spirit for it is in those moments of release, those times of fully trusting in your love, that our lives can become filled with your glory. Expand the canopy of our lives with the hot wind of your love so that we can soar to new heights and reveal the beauty of a life fulfilling the destiny you have intended. In full embrace of your Spirit we pray. Amen.

Inspired by Ezekial 37:1-14 and John 11:1-45

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