God’s Restoration in Relationships
Written by Faith Bailey
When thinking of restoration, several instances flood my mind. Prisoners have been used to turn the hearts of their captors to Christ and compassion; men and women have been made whole again after a terrible heartbreak; dreams have been reshaped and brought back to life; siblings have put down their grudges and grievances; and marriages have been given back to the God of Love after 50 years of hurt and distrust. Perhaps one of the most miraculous ways God brings restoration on this earth is in relationships. It truly takes a power that is out of this world to change hearts and bring about forgiveness, healing, and sincere companionship.
Last summer, I was able to see a glimpse of this process first hand, and compare restoration of the world verses the transformative power of God. In Rwanda in East Africa, I had the chance to work with an international school and some missionaries, and spend considerable time learning from nationals. Known for its tragic history of genocide and civil conflict, Rwandans have spent the last few years trying to mend their reputation and their relationships. The message you’ll often hear is that they are “one” and that there is complete forgiveness.
Coming in as an outsider, you will be overwhelmed by the absolute beauty of the country and the people. Your heart will be broken by the story of their past, and lifted by the new story of forgiveness and brotherhood. However, you may also feel a spiritual darkness always around you. Stay long enough and you will see the fear and distrust between people on the streets as you pass by. I truly believe they crave restoration and will continue to encourage healing and unity with all of their strength. Many see Rwanda as an incredible example for even attempting this extreme level of forgiveness. Despite their efforts and rising reputation, in very few situations did I feel the peace that comes when people are truly being restored by the power of Christ.
It was made obvious to me that relationships cannot be fully restored through human effort, but only through God the Father and the working of the Holy Spirit. There are agents of change in Rwanda who, through prayer, seek people of peace and use their circles of influence to facilitate this healing. In these circles, I felt a lightness and a peace. Among Christians who are seeking Christ, we were told stories of their families and of the war. They normally won't tell you about these things, but restored people fear the unspoken less. They are willing to bring things to the light, because they have experienced God´s comfort.
I don’t understand completely how He brings things back together. But I know that apart from Him, there is no lasting healing. He restores. He refreshes the soul. He brings dead bones back to life. Who else can do what He can do?
“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?”
I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life...’”
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
Then he said to me... “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’” (Ezekiel 37:1-5, 7-10,14)
As surely as things are destroyed and fall apart in this world, restoration happens in the Kingdom of God every day. God is not one to make empty promises. If He calls us to love our enemy, we can rest assured knowing He has overcome the situation. In Christ, we have the hope of restoration in our relationships, which are so essential to life. The fatherless have been placed in families. The silenced have been given a voice. Captives to hatred have been set free. And His restoration is continually stretching further and deeper in these hearts.
#IronRoseSister #restoration #Hebringsthedeadbonesbacktolife #restoringrelationships