“When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him and let him go.” (John 11:43-44, ESV)
“Girl, why are you so down? You just need to give it to God. To let go and let God. You just need to rejoice in the Lord. He’s going to work it all out for you.”
Ever had someone utter those words to you when you’re in a season of darkness and can’t seem to find a way out. I have. Those words while spoken with good intentions, failed to offer me a lot of guidance. Instead, they falsely give the assumption that because you’re saved – everything will always be well in your life.
As Christians, life on this earth is hard. Sometimes we need help getting out of the yoke of our circumstances.
Lazarus is a perfect example of this lesson. He had been dead in the tomb for four days. Then Jesus spoke his name and called him out of the grave.
Raising him from the dead was instant – like salvation. But when he came out of that grave, he still had remnants of the ordeal he had just experienced.
The linen cloths were wrapped so tightly he could barely walk. His vision was also hindered. Jesus could have spoken the words and had the grave clothes fall off. Instead, he told the crowd to “loose him”.
In the same manner, there are remnants of our previous lives that we will need help taking off as we “work out our salvation” (Phil 2:12). Not everyone grows up in an environment that perfectly models God’s love. We are not all taught God’s Word correctly. Salvation forgives us of our sins. But it doesn’t automatically teach us how to “walk like a Christian”. It doesn’t instantaneously change negative thought patterns developed over the years. Some things will require a community to “take off”. Thus, we are urged in Hebrews 10:25 to “not neglect meeting together”.
As we continue to grow on our journey of faith – life will continue to throw obstacles at us. Salvation doesn’t keep us from experiencing hardships. Utilizing the resources in your community like Christian counseling and support groups should not been as a negative. Lazarus was alive but he would have never been able to interact with others in a healthy way because his hands were bound. He needed assistance getting out of the bondage of death.
It’s okay to not be okay. To admit you need help.
“Jesus, we thank you for raising us from death to life through salvation. As life throws obstacles that cloud our vision and inhibit us from walking in faith, teach us to reach out to the Christian community around us for help.”
For His Glory
Laura Holmes (www.ephraimministries.org)
TRBC Women’s Life
trbccoffeebreak 
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