Unbind Them
Author: The Rev. Dr. David Bridges, Priest
November 09, 2021
In the Gospel According to John at chapter 11 we find the
story of the death and raising of Lazarus. Lazarus had been dead for four days
and “surely stinks” (v.39). Jesus walks up to the tomb and says, “Take away the
stone.” Jesus’ next words are, “Lazarus, come out!” Finally, He says, “Unbind
him and let him go.”
I believe that call is for all of us: Take away the
stone; come out; be unbound! You may feel that you are stuck in some kind of
emotional, spiritual darkness. You may find it difficult to find joy or
satisfaction in life. Your relationships
may be a train-wreck, and you don’t have any idea where your life is going.
These can be the “stones” keeping you in the tomb of
emotional/spiritual darkness. It is time to roll away the stone and let the
light of the real Christ in.
It is time to “come out” of the dark tomb that keeps you
from living into the potential God gave you. Come out of the
emotional/spiritual darkness that steals your energy, focus, and happiness. The
light may appear blindingly-bright at first, but you can adjust to it, and be a
better you through it.
It is time to “be unbound and set free” from fear, doubt,
depression, anger, isolation, loneliness, false teaching, low self-esteem, and
anything else that may be limiting your happiness. It is time to realize how
valuable you are.
John 3:16 reads: “God loved the world so much that [God]
gave the only-begotten Son, Jesus, so that everyone who believes in Him will
not die, but live forever.” That includes you! I know, you may not
believe it right now, but I can assure you God loves you.
So why do you feel so unloved? Our society is better at dragging
people down than it is at lifting them up. Our religions are better at judging
and separating people than bringing them together. Social media has given every
form of anger and hatred a place to thrive.
If we, as a society, do not change the course of our
actions, we will self-destruct thanks to our own faults; prejudice, divisions,
hatred, selfishness. When we neglect our spiritual health we easily fall prey
to any negative influence that comes along; and there are more than too many
negative influences around us.
Give-up the fear that God may be angry with you. Give-up
the negative influence of negative people. Give-up religious ideas that drive
you away from God, and reach-out for the real truth, the real Jesus Christ,
that invites you into a life of fullness, joy and peace. Claim your stake in
the real life.
Blessings and Peace to You
All,
Fr.
David+
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