I was never big into playing sports and climbing trees etc., so I never broke any bones. But I do have one claim to fame. I chipped a bone in my foot once. When I was a voluntary evangelist (VE) with London City Mission, I was on my way to a Bible Study at Bermondsey Christian Fellowship one Winter night in January 1983.
I was looking over a wall towards the River Thames near what was once known as Jacob’s Island, and when I descended a couple of steps, I did something odd with my foot. Nothing unusual, but later, when I got back to the hostel, my foot swelled up. Everyone gave me lots of attention and sympathy 😀.
Next day, I think I went to a local doctor, who sent me to Guy’s hospital, which is near London Bridge station. The Shard now stands next to it. Anyway, everyone was very nice, and the X-ray showed that I’d chipped a bone. I was told that it would be OK in a few days. In the meantime, I could either hop or use a walking stick. Being young, I chose to hop. So I just needed to hop across Tooley Street to catch the number 47 bus back down to the hostel. And yes, it did get better after a few days, but I no longer was the centre of attention, and now, doubtless, everyone has forgotten all about it. But now I have the chance to tell the whole world of my plight 😀.
So my next challenge is to weave a Christian message into my tale. Well, firstly, I’ve had no major health problems so far in life, but I have had little annoyances, and I am thankful for healing, whether it’s natural body processes, medical treatment, or direct healing from God. A slight accident can have lifelong implications, so, as the saying goes, be thankful for small mercies.
Regarding bones, the first Bible passage that comes to mind is Ezekiel 37 and the valley of dry bones. Ezekiel is taken to a valley filled with dry bones, symbolizing Israel’s spiritual and national despair. God commands him to prophesy over the bones, and they miraculously come together, gaining flesh and breath. This vision represents God’s promise to restore Israel, breathing new life into His people through His Spirit. The initial fulfillment was the Jews getting out of Babylon and back to their own land.
But many believe it has a broader message on how the Holy Spirit can breathe new life into us. I think of the apostles who scattered in panic and despair when Jesus was crucified. That could well have been the very end of the story of Jesus. But two things changed everything; the resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, as promised by Jesus on the night before he died.
Acts 2:2-4
“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting… All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
And at an individual level, the Holy Spirit breathes life into people who are spiritually dead. This leads to spiritual life now, and ultimately, it will lead to our resurrection if we die before Jesus returns. And if Jesus returns before we die, our mortal bodies will be changed into bodies fit for the new heaven and new earth.
Romans 8:11
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
Here are two songs based on Ezekiel 37. The second one makes more sense, but the first one is more fun and it captures the joy and excitement of Ezekiel 37.
Hibernia Gospel 