“Loose Him and Let Him Go”

 

In The Gospel of John 11:43-44, Jesus stands outside the tomb of Lazarus and says:

“Lazarus, come forth.” And the Bible says Lazarus came out… but wrapped. Wrapped hands. Wrapped feet. Wrapped face.

            Alive, but restricted. Breathing, but bound. That part matters.  Jesus did not just raise Lazarus. He then turned to the people around him and said:

“Loose him, and let him go.” John 11:44

            That hits different when you really sit with it.

            Many of us have had a “come forth” moment. God brought us out of addiction, depression, shame, toxic relationships, church hurt, fear, bitterness, or dead seasons. We survived what should have buried us.

            But resurrection is not the same thing as freedom.

            Some people are alive in Christ but still wrapped in insecurity. Still wrapped in trauma. Still wrapped in guilt from who they used to be. Still wrapped in labels people placed on them years ago.

            And if we’re honest, some of us learned how to shout in church while still wearing grave clothes. The grave clothes are anything connected to the old dead place:

• old mindsets
• old coping mechanisms
• hidden anger
• unforgiveness
• performance-based Christianity
• isolation
• pretending to be okay

        Jesus could have removed the grave clothes Himself. But He involved the community. That’s powerful.

    Sometimes God raises you, but people help unwrap you. That is why healthy fellowship matters. That is why honest conversations matter. That is why testimonies matter. That is why discipleship matters.

    Some people don’t need another motivational quote. They need someone loving enough to help remove what death left behind.

    And here’s the other side of it…

    Some of us are called to help loose others, but we keep criticizing people who are freshly out of the tomb. Lazarus probably still smelled like death. He probably looked messy. But Jesus did not shame him for needing help after resurrection.

    Neither should we.

    This week, ask yourself: "What grave clothes am I still wearing even after God called me out?"

    And maybe even harder: "Who around me is alive… but still bound?"

Staying Lifted: Keeping a Positive Spirit While Living with MS

Let me keep it real with you—living with multiple sclerosis for almost twenty years ain't been easy. Some days, my body feels like it's fighting a war I didn't sign up for. Other days, I'm blessed to wake up feeling decent enough to laugh, move around, and enjoy the sun on my face. But through it all, one thing I hold close is my spirit. See, sickness might hit the body, but it doesn't have to break the soul.

Now, don't get me wrong. I've had my moments—days when I wanted to stay in bed, feeling frustrated, angry, and asking God "Why me?" But the longer I've lived with this, the more I've learned that happiness isn't about the situation—it's about the decision. Yeah, happiness is a choice, even when your legs feel like jelly and fatigue is hitting like a freight train.

One scripture that's been an anchor for me is Proverbs 17:22:
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
Man, when I read that, it hit me deep. It reminded me that I gotta protect my joy at all costs. My spirit needs to stay healthy even when my body's doing its own thing. So, I make sure I find things to smile about, to laugh about—even if it's something simple like watching my favorite show, cracking jokes with family, or just sitting outside watching birds hustle like they got no bills to pay.

You see, MS has taught me to slow down and notice the little blessings most folks rush past. I've found happiness in the smallest things—like a hot cup of tea hitting just right on a rough morning, or hearing a song that takes me back to better times. Even when the pain's doing too much, I've learned to lean on gratitude.

I also keep Philippians 4:11-13 tucked in my heart:
"I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

That part right there? That's the key. I've accepted that MS is part of my story, but it ain't the whole book. I might walk a little slower or rest more than others, but through Christ, I'm still strong. I'm still valuable. I'm still me.

So how do I manage my happiness while living with MS?

• I stay grateful. I count my blessings, even the small ones.

• I laugh. Humor is like free therapy.

• I lean on faith. I remind myself I ain't walking this road alone.

• I show myself grace. Every day won't be perfect, and that's okay.

• I surround myself with love. Family, friends, and God keep me grounded.

Look, life will throw its punches, but I've learned to keep my spirit light and my heart open. My MS doesn't define me. My resilience, my joy, my faith—that's who I am.

So, if you're reading this and going through your own storm, hear me out: don't let the storm steal your sunshine. Keep your head high, stay prayed up, and remember that happiness lives inside you—not in the situation but in how you face it.

And trust me, with God on your side, you're stronger than you think.