When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.“

The story of Lazarus is the story of us.

If you’ve never read it, it’s in John 11. Take the time to read it if it’s new to you.  I’ve heard it and read it many times myself, and I’ve always focused on the fact that Jesus was deeply moved and mourned the loss of his friend (knowing very well that he was going to raise him from the dead).  This story amazingly shows the truth of Jesus being fully man and fully God.

But have you ever paid any attention to the last line?  I can’t say that I always have.  But it’s profound…

“Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

You see, Lazarus was indeed raised from the dead, just as Jesus intended.  However, to everyone watching he still resembled a dead man.  Why?

Because of the grave clothes.

All of the strips of linen with spices underneath to keep ‘ole Lazarus from smelling foul in the tomb was still on him after he was resurrected.

He still appeared dead.

But he didn’t need them any longer.  Jesus had called him into life, but Lazarus was still identified by what was on him.

I think that’s why Jesus told the people to remove the grave clothes.  They had served their purpose while Lazarus lay in the tomb, but now he was called into something better.

You and I have been called out of death and into life if we follow Christ, so my question to you (and most certainly me) is:

Don’t you think it’s time we remove the grave clothes?

Do we live our lives wrapped in grave clothes, when we’ve been called out of the tomb?  Are we identified by our bindings and fetters instead of our call to freedom in Him?

I think it’s time for them to go.

And I think Jesus thinks so even more.

It reminded me not only about how life is so fragile, but it reminded me about the value of time and relationships. 

Remember the story of Jesus visiting Mary and Martha in Luke 10?  Jesus reminds Martha that although she was tending to things that were totally fine and well, Mary had chosen to prioritize correctly, which was to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to him.  And there was nothing in the world more important.

Jesus knew the value of relationship over doing ”good” things.   

I’m also reminded of a story a friend of mine told me about a year ago, describing an experience he had with a young man in an African village on a missions trip. 

They were in Sudan, an African country that has a lot of persecution towards Christians.  So, as you can imagine, this trip was a fairly dangerous one.  My friend took several people from his church with him, along with men and women he had become friends with over the years through different jobs, churches and states of residency.  The village they went to would huddle in tents at night to hold church services, virtually whispering the worship songs that were sung.  The group had to form a tight circle in order to hear the message in whisper-form, as they could be killed on the spot if overheard.  He told me about the move that God was doing in this village, and how the people were so passionate and dependent on God for everything. 

And then he told me about John. 

John was 19 at the time, and spoke English fairly well.  He was bright, and wanted to become a pastor.  One night in the secret meeting place, one of the men with the group of missionairies was asked to speak to the village.  He went on to talk about how his church could come alongside this village, providing resources for food, shelter and a safe place to worship.  They could build a more secure building for them to meet in with thicker walls, which would allow for them to speak loudly and free when gathering for worship and teaching.  In the back of the room, John whispered to get this man’s attention.  And this is what he said. 

Excuse me, but we only have a limited time.  Could you please tell us about Jesus?

19 years old!  I’m 29 and I don’t always have perspective like that.  Geesh.

You see, we are but a breath.  Our days are like a passing shadow. 

So, what are we to do with them?  How does the truth of life’s uncertainty play into how we treat others?  These are some of the questions I have today. 

image: bogenfreund

“Wait, are you with a church, or are you just being human?”

Her question caught me a bit off-guard.  I responded with an awkward, “well, I would have to say it’s both.”

Her name is Linda.  She’s a beautiful woman.  Her eyes were crystal clear and green, and she had impeccable teeth.  You know, the kind you see on toothpaste commercials.  Linda is kind, polite and articulate.

And Linda is homeless.

I saw Linda a few weeks ago at Burger King in Wickenburg.  I go there most Wednesday mornings to talk with my mom on Skype.  She was sitting outside when I got there, but moved inside as the morning went on due to the heat.  I had finished talking with mom, so it was time for me to go.  I walked out to my car, and I caught an older gentleman walking quickly from his car back inside, giving Linda some cash before swiftly returning back to his vehicle.  She seemed shocked and grateful.  I was excited to see someone have compassion for her, and yet I was sad to see no conversation take place.  Perhaps he had somewhere he needed to be at shortly.  I had some time still.  So, I walked back inside.

She was putting all of her belongings in one of the corner booths inside, which included several plastic grocery bags filled with odds and ends she had probably gathered along her travels.  I excused myself as I walked towards Linda, hoping not to scare her.  I asked her if she would like some food.

“Why would you think that I would need food?”

“Well, I kinda feel like you do” I said, hoping to God that I didn’t insult her.

“Yes, I would like some food very much.”

So, up to the front we went.  Before we got to the register to order, she asked me the question I referenced first:

“Wait, are you with a church, or are you just being a human?”

She wanted to know if my kindness had an agenda, I guess.  Perhaps she’s encountered that before.  I gave my awkward answer and proceeded to order her whatever she wanted on the menu.  She tried to see what I would get so she could just order the same thing, and she asked me if there was a limit to this transaction.  I assured her that buying her the most expensive thing on the menu wouldn’t do me in financially, and that I just wanted to make sure she had a full meal today.

I asked her if she lived in town or in Phoenix, and she said (with a smile) ”Honey, I’ve been everywhere…more places than you could imagine.”  I told her I was here most Wednesday mornings, and that I would love to get her another meal and hear her story.  Besides, everyone has a story. I wanted her to know that I didn’t have an agenda.  Her story is important.  There’s a reason why she’s wandering around with all her belongings in hand.  What happened in her life?  Divorce?  Economic hardship?  Addictions?  Illness?

I haven’t seen Linda since that day a few weeks ago.  I hope that I see her again so I can talk to her.  Hear her story.  I’d love to eat a hamburger with her.  I’d love to see more of Jesus in her.  Because let me tell you, her question cut right to the core of me.

As Christians, what are our intentions when reaching out to someone?  Do we have an agenda or are we just genuinely loving that person?

I’d love to say that I have reached out to people in need like this so many times that I’ve lost count, but I can’t.  That would be lying.  I do know, however, that Linda left more of a mark on me than anything I did for her that day.

And for that I am thankful.

On my worst day, I’m…

a liar.
arrogant.
self-seeking.
prideful.
a gossip.
ungrateful.
angry.
bitter.
cynical.
unsure of anything.
lacking.
two-faced.
doubtful.
intolerant.
judgmental.
entitled.
depressed.
anxious.
loved.
forgiven.
free.
clothed in righteousness.
saved.
a clean slate.
in process of restoration.
clean.

And most importantly, on my absolute worst day, it’s…

Christ in Josh Miles.

————————————————————-

Maybe this resonates with you in some way today.  If so, I’m blessed that he uses my mess for something good.  If not, I will take it still as an exercise in remembering the truth in the midst of circumstances.  

image: sam

Things were new and exciting.  The thought of deepening an already-immense love made for the greatest of dreams.

The bride and bridegroom settled into their home, combining posessions that were once singular.  The bride brought with her into the relationship a couch. One she had prior to the marriage.  It had quite the wear and tear, and it wasn’t pleasant to look at.  But…

It was very comfortable.

The groom had no problem bringing the couch into the house, although he had no intention of ever sitting on it.  There was no sense in an argument right now.  For better and for worse, right?

The relationship was very touch-and-go in the beginning.  It turns out that a relationship of this magnitude brings out a lot of vulnerability in a person.  Whenever things seemed too awkward, she sought comfort in the couch.  It was the most familiar friend to her, after all.  It was years ago now that she worked tirelessly to save enough for this couch.

And it had served her well- mid-afternoon naps, late evenings, the familiar smell of the leather.

So she retreated to the couch almost every day, and especially when things seemed tough.

One day, she remembered all of the memories she had in her life that included that couch.  And immediately, she realized all of the memories that were yet to be made with her husband.  She was spending almost all of her time on this couch.

In her guilt, she moved the couch outside, ashamed that her husband would find out how much time she was spending on it every evening.  Sure, it wasn’t as ideal as quality time in relationship with her husband, but…

It was comfortable.

This made the marriage a one-sided one, to say the least.  But the husband was patient.  He saw her for who she was, not for what she brought into the house.  And through her husbands’s unfailing love and patience, she began to slowly realize what had been her reality the whole time – that her husband was passionate about her, yet not forceful.

It was only then when she started to run to him in her confusion and emptiness.  It was with him that she was vulnerable.

No retreating.

No hiding.

Just a real, honest, awkward and vulnerable relationship.

It wasn’t as comfortable.

But it was better.

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Come, let us return to the LORD.  He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.  After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.  Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him.  As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
- Hosea 6:1-3

Perhaps you feel torn to pieces lately.  I know the feeling.  Let us press on to know him and acknowledge him, shall we?

Our third day is sure to come.

I believe I remember him doing that some other time, too…

I love old cars.

The lines, the power, the heritage- all things I love about vintage automobiles.  You will often find me glued to the couch on Saturdays watching collector car auctions on television, where my excitement level increases with each bid.

I especially love the stories of cars that sat in barns for decades, only to be meticulously restored to better-than-original condition.  Sure, there’s the same model car that has rarely been driven, with only 18,000 miles or something.  One can appreciate the fact that someone knew that the car may have been worth something one day.  But, I would argue that the car was barely driven, and it spent a lifetime just sitting still.  And besides…

Restoration stories are so much better.

It’s not just the end result of the better-than-new car that appeals, it’s the story of how it got to that point.  Often times the person who restored the car will share on how, when the car was stripped down to the bare metal, major issues reared their ugly heads.  Multiple layers of paint and body filler do a pretty good job of creating something pleasant to look at on the outside, only to be decaying from within.  When those layers are peeled back, the truth of what needs restoration is revealed.

At this point of the post, insert my (and your) life here.

This season of participating in Christ’s death have peeled ripped back many layers in my life. Complacency and sitting still has caused the tires to rot and the battery to die.  Being exposed to the elements have brought about a thick, rusty layer of pride, degrading and decaying anything in its path.  The discovery (on this sort of level this season) has proven to be far from a gentle process.  I’m not sure why I was expecting anything different.  All I need to do is look at Christ.  Look what they did to him.  Why would I expect anything easy? Remember, there’s no story of redemption without depravity. If we have nothing to be restored to, why do you and I need restoration?

So restore away, God.  I don’t want to just sit.  Maybe that would mean less risk, but it would certainly mean less living.  Besides…

I can’t wait to tell others the story.

Every detail.  No omissions.

image: sam

Today’s a different kind of day.

For one, it’s a new day.  It’s only by grace that I’m even alive to write this, so let me go ahead and acknowledge that right off the bat.

If you’ve followed these Lent posts thus far (I thought about renaming them to ‘Tortured Soul: the series”), I hope that you’ve not gone away from them depressed.  My hope is that you’ve been encouraged and challenged, and perhaps given a new outlook on what it means to participate in the Lenton season. Hang in there.  I don’t want to spoil it all for you, but the end result is….

**SPOILER ALERT**

He is risen.

Yes, He is risen indeed.  Obviously we’ll talk about this next month, but I am reminded of it today.  He is risen today.  Sure, we’ll celebrate it in a magnificent way on Easter Sunday, but for me, focusing on his resurrection today gives me hope.  I was reading Romans 5 yesterday, and I was comforted by these words:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.              - Romans 5:1-5 [NIV]

Hope never disappoints.  Sure, I’ve been struggling the last few weeks.  I hit a low point last weekend (see Monday’s post).  But, God does not leave me there alone.

He hasn’t left you alone either.  So, rejoice with me, wherever you’re at.  Regardless of your circumstances.  Regardless of your struggles.  Remember…

He is good, and today is a new day.

As I’ve asked previously, what are you learning during this season of Lent?  How can I pray for you specifically?

image: sam

I’m learning a lot during this season, both about God and myself.  For that I’m extremely grateful.

And I’m also quite sore, frankly.  It’s been hard to keep posting these Lent posts, but I’m trying to provide an authentic narrative of my experience in participation of Christ’s death.  This has proven to be a trying time.  But, I’m confident that by sharing in our sufferings we can encourage one another.

As I mentioned a while back, when God peels away the layers that cloud our vision of him it’s painful.   These layers run deep in my life, and specifically, I think God is peeling away one in particular:  appearance.

I simply care about what others think.

I have insecurities just like everyone else.  I often struggle with the thought that I’m never taken seriously, mainly because I’m requested to say something funny by others, forcing me (in my mind) to go into performance-mode.  But, my go-to compensatory move when insecure is to always bring humor to the situation.  So, this plays right into an already bad hand.  I am quick-witted and sarcastic.  I used to think this was possibly a spiritual gift…turns out it’s not.  Any time I’m out and go into this mode, whether for the entertainment of others or insecure compensation, I return home depressed.  It’s a vicious cycle that runs me into the ground mentally and emotionally.

But why am I such a slave to this?  Why do I care so much about what others think of me?  I know that my identity is in Christ and not other people.

Or do I?

I am petitioning to God that he would reveal this issue in my life completely.  That he would help me overcome the performance.  Besides, it’s not a performance he’s after from me — it’s relationship.  This is a core issue for me, and I am grateful that he’s showing me that.  Again, when the layers are pulled back it’s painful.  But, what I hope comes from this will be cause for celebration.  I’m trying to start doing that now.

For I know Sunday’s coming.

What are you learning about God and yourself during this season?  How can I pray for you?

image: sam

I got pulled over last night…

Apparently I ran a stop sign.  I’ll admit up front that I did not come to a complete stop.  It was a total California-roll.  I don’t recall ever running a stop sign in my 13 years of driving.  Well, until last night.

My wife thought it was fairly amusing until she saw the look on my face.  You see, she not only reads my posts.  She lives with the omissions.  Lucky her…

This season of Lent is proving to be unlike any other.  I hope it’s because I’m actually asking God to kill things in my life that keep me from him.  Sure, I was serious when I talked about needing to participate in Christ’s death. But honestly, it looks a lot better written out than lived out.  This is painful stuff, man.  I’m either going to be of greater faith and character, or clinically depressed. I’m not sure which.

I don’t want to over-spiritualize this, but in a way I feel like getting this ticket is a reminder to me that some things need to die.  I immediately felt entitled to a verbal warning when the officer walked up to my car.  And I can’t imagine why, really.  I did break the law, after all.  I then pleaded my case to my wife, telling her that I’m pretty sure the car came to a stop (this is where her amusement started).  I started to blame her for distracting me, but almost immediately stopped, thank goodness.  I had so many questions in the moment, but never this one:

Why couldn’t I have just taken the time to stop?

We weren’t in a hurry.  There was no traffic.  The bottom line is that I was simply not paying attention.  It’s not that I was distracted by bad things.  My wife and I were talking on our way back from dinner.  I was enjoying her companionship.  But, it was a distraction nonetheless.  My priority should have been the road. That, in turn, would have been looking out for my wife.  I think it’s the same way with Christ.  He should be my focus.  He should be important.  Distractions should step aside.  Why can’t I just take the time to stop and see him?

Be encouraged today if you feel distracted, weighed down with different things, or just worn out.  I am all of these lately.  Let us be reminded to take the time to stop and refocus on the road.  The one he’s laid out for us.  Remember, it’s narrow, folks.  I would appreciate your prayers during this hard(but hopefully fruitful) season as I pray for you as well.

Speaking of which…how can I pray for you?

image: sam