Everything was good. I was busy, settled in our new home, I should have felt content, but I didn’t. What was stopping me? I discovered it was me. I had to make a choice, stay where I was, or move into freedom.
Are You Ready to Move Away From Discontent?
I wonder if you have felt like that. Mildly surprised to find that you are not happy after your goal was met, the new job received, maybe staying at home with your children or retirement embraced.
For me, I realized I had not shaken the last vestiges of depression. I had long since finished counseling as well as a lot of hard work. I had been declared cured. And in many ways, I was.
My energy had returned, I was thinking clearly, eating and sleeping well. But I was still just going through the motions. Can you relate?
Colors were not vibrant. Maybe I had forgotten what normal felt like. I felt joy, but it was muted.
Ready to move into freedom, into vibrant life, I wondered what was holding me back? What was blocking me?
Are you ready too?
A Lesson in New Life
John 11 ,recounts the story of Lazarus, a friend of Jesus. You may be familiar with the details.
Jesus made it clear that this miracle was performed so that the disciples would believe (John 11:15). And, also, so that His Father would be glorified (John 11:40) and that the people would believe that God had sent him (John 11:42). It also foreshadows or points to, the death and resurrection of Jesus himself.
But I also think we can apply this to our lives. Let me explain what I mean. What happens in the story is multi-layered and rich. But let’s look at one specific part.
Jesus is called by his friend’s sisters to come to their home because Lazarus is seriously ill.
When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been dead for 4 days. As you can imagine, the sisters, deep in grief, are disappointed that he did not arrive in time to heal his friend.
Jesus consoles Mary and Martha, the sisters, separately. Then He walks to the tomb. Here’s what happens next:
39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.”
The stone was blocking Lazarus’s access to the abundance Jesus had for him – new life.
What Stone Needs to Be Rolled Away For You?
Which makes me wonder. What stone needs to be rolled away in your life, for you to fully experience God’s plan for you?
Maybe a mistake you made, or a sin you committed a long time ago? Or perhaps a broken relationship?
In my case, my stone was an inability to understand there was a better, more vibrant life waiting for me. I had allowed habits and behaviors I had developed during my period of depression to remain after I had been cured. I was functioning, but God had more for me.
Whatever your stone, what is holding you in a place of discontentment, it takes bravery to ask for it to be moved. Sometimes the familiar, even if it is less than ideal, is hard to leave behind.
It can become hard to believe that we can get, or even deserve better. This is what happened next in the story of Lazarus. After Jesus said, “roll the stone away”, Martha voiced her objections:
“But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” John 11: 39 (NLT)
Understandably, even Martha, Lazarus’ sister had given up hope. She saw only the devastating reality in front of her. She did not know that they were about to witness an event even more amazing than a healing.
Nevertheless, someone rolled the stone aside.
” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” John 11:43-44 (NIV)
And all present witnessed a miracle. Lazarus, who was once dead was now alive! He walked out even in his graveclothes.
Are You Ready?
In our cases, we can ask Jesus to roll away our stone. Then boldly move into freedom.
I think for me, removing the graveclothes, means getting rid of faulty expectations and self-imposed limits – to remove the last vestiges of what is left.
Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10b. A life that is satisfying and beyond our expectations. An underlying belief that God will provide all we need.
He has the same waiting for you as too!
How has this worked out for me? Really well! I moved into freedom and I am enjoying progressively more abundance in my life as I listen to His voice.
How about you? Are you ready to move into freedom?
Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.