When Jesus Brings Dead Bones to Life - Mayra W.

I was 18 years old, searching for purpose—trying to fill a deep emptiness in my soul.

Nothing satisfied. I was searching for God, but I did not yet know Him. In my lack of

knowledge, I looked everywhere for answers—people, religious practices, beliefs, and

traditions—anything that promised meaning. But nothing filled the void.

In my desperation, I was drawn into idolatry—trusting in created things rather than the

Creator. I placed my hope and dependence in a broken man, following him through hurt,

rejection, and spiritual confusion—the blind leading the blind. In seeking truth apart from

God, I became what I pursued—empty and spiritually lifeless (Psalms 135:15-18).

Yet even there, God saw my heart. Deep within, I was crying out for truth and life, even

though I did not yet know how to call on the true God. God looks at the heart, and that is

what He saw—not my confusion, but my sincere desire (Jeremiah 29:13).

One day at work, I was distressed, and two Holy Spirit-filled coworkers noticed. They

stepped out in faith and asked a simple question: “Can we pray for you?”

Without hesitation, I said, “Yes.” In that moment, I encountered the presence of God.

They prayed with me and then asked if I wanted to receive Jesus into my heart. I said yes

immediately—no resistance, no delay. Something happened I could not explain. I

encountered God in a way I had never known before. Something shifted, chains began to

break, and what had been empty came to life.

God had heard my cry; and even before that moment, God had been protecting me—

through danger, suffering, rejection, abuse, and seasons that felt like desert valleys. He had

been with me all along, carrying me through the storm, proving Himself faithful.

I had previously agreed to participate in a spiritual ritual connected to the practices I had

been involved in—a moment that could have bound me deeper into darkness.

That path led me into a ceremony—a pact with the dead. Yet when I entered that place,

after receiving Christ, something within me resisted. I did not understand it at the time, but

something had changed within me—I had been sealed with the Holy Spirit.

When the priest cut into my shoulder to draw blood for the ritual, no blood would come out.

He became angry and began to rage. In that moment, I could discern something was not

right—something was evil. I stepped back, and words rose up from within me:

“If this is not of God, I do not receive it—in Jesus’ name.” (I still carry a small scar.)

Everything stopped. The ritual could not continue. The priest, angered and unsettled,

removed me from the place and told me never to return—and I never did.

Looking back, I can see—God was already delivering me, even before I understood it. A

transformation had begun. I did not know Scripture, nor the power of the name of Jesus, yet

after receiving Christ, the Holy Spirit led me to speak life and truth.

From that day forward, my life began to change. I was no longer the same. What once felt

empty was now filled—not by things, not by people, not by religion—but by the presence of

the resurrected Christ, Jesus! I had found the Way, the Truth, and the Life in Him alone, and

He had set me free (John 8:36).

My transformation became visible—joy replaced heaviness, and peace replaced

confusion. People noticed, especially at work.

One moment marked me deeply. A friend and coworker named Marie asked me about the

change. I simply said, “I prayed to Jesus, and He changed me.” Marie replied, “I want that,”

and together we prayed. That day, Marie received Christ.

As we were leaving, Marie offered me a ride home, as she always did. But I had plans to

attend a worship service at Church, so I said, “Next time.” Still, something felt different.

Before parting, we embraced. It would be our last goodbye.

The next day, I learned that Marie had been in a fatal accident just hours later and was now

in Jesus’ arms. In that moment, I realized how fragile life is, how quickly everything can

change, and that we are made for something eternal.

Through it all, I came to understand that I had been spiritually empty—like dry bones,

walking and breathing, yet without true life. But just as God brings life where there is none,

He had done the same for me. Now, I have life and purpose.

I no longer depended on people or chased signs or false beliefs, but learned to walk by

faith, not by sight. I came to understand that I was saved by grace and learned to love and

fear God—realizing that He does not dwell in temples made by hands, but in surrendered

hearts. The life I had been searching for was in Jesus all along.

Today, I can say with confidence: I no longer live in the valley of dry bones. I am a new

creation in Christ. For 39 years, I have walked with Him, and each day I continue to grow,

learn, and become more like Jesus as I abide in Him.

Because the truth is simple: Only Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness in our lives. Amen.