Periodically, a great president sits in the White House. Most presidents are side-liners who never do much for our country and some have even done a lot of damage. But Theodore Roosevelt was not that president. He is considered one of the greatest presidents to ever preside. He was a strong leader who made great reforms, had a unique relationship with the average citizen, and courageously took the country in a new and better direction. And because of his greatness, his face has been chiseled into the rock on the side of the mountain in the black hills of South Dakota… which is one of the greatest wonders in the world: Mt. Rushmore.
The prophet Ezekiel was taken by the Spirit into a valley in Ezekiel 37… a valley filled with dry bones. Dead bones. He is told to speak a prophetic word into them and when he does, they arise with flesh and muscle. But they still do not have life. Then he’s told to speak another prophetic word into the bones and when he does, the wind (breath of the Lord) fills the bones and they now have life. While this is a prophecy concerning the nation of Israel, I see great implications for the church and the believer.
I believe the church is like this valley… a place filled with bones. Within the church are three people… Christians who are lifeless (just like those dry bones). These are those who believe in Jesus and at one time asked Christ to become Lord of their lives. But nothing really changed in them… most likely, they never surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. They simply exist in the church. Then there are those who have flesh and muscle but are not making any difference for God’s Kingdom. They may go to church every Sunday, serve in the church, and wear a cross around their neck… but they are also lifeless. They have not done anything to advance the Kingdom of God.
Then there are the Theodore Roosevelts of the church. These are the Christians who stand apart from the rest, literally bringing God’s Kingdom to this earth. They live, breathe, and move for the Lord. They are vibrant believers who take their Christianity serious. They care about the direction of the church and they work VERY hard at following the mandates of Scripture.
So, the question becomes… what makes these few Christians stand out? What makes them different from the rest? I believe it’s the filling of the Holy Spirit. They literally walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Each of us has been given the gift of the Holy Spirit – we’ve been baptized into Him. But whether we are walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit is another thing all together. If you want to make a difference for His Kingdom, then you must be filled with His Spirit. And if you feel like this is lacking, then maybe it’s time you stand before God and ask Him to breathe life into you… to awaken you with His Sprit. Imagine if the church was FULL of Spirit-driven believers. Well, it can be… but it must begin with you and me. Our bodies must have the breath of the Lord to be vibrant, living, and active members of His Kingdom. Let’s go for it!