Over these past few months I have been in transition not only geographically, but emotionally, physically, and spiritually too. In last week’s blog, I made the statement “I can’t take old summer clothes into my new winter season.” This statement made me meditate on the story of Lazarus in the Bible.
If you don’t know the story of Lazarus and Jesus raising him up from the dead, let me give you a quick rundown of the story. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha in which Jesus loved all of them according to scripture.
Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to come and heal Lazarus since he was sick. Jesus was out of town, and he didn’t get back to the city until four days after Lazarus had passed. This was by choice of Jesus. He could’ve returned to heal him before his death, but he chose to get there after. This story can preach in so many ways, but for this post, I’m going to focus on “taking off the clothes.”
When you study the death of Lazarus, you find that tradition back in those days are after one dies, they would strip them naked, wash their body, and wrap them in white linens with spices to help cover up the stench of a decaying body.
John 11:43-44
“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.” NIV
Alright, there you have the story. Taking off your clothes is to represent transitioning into your new season. You can’t wear summer clothes in the winter months, or you will get sick. You have to dress for the season that you’re in.
Now, this just doesn’t mean only “clothes,” taking off “grave” clothes can also represent a mindset, a way of doing things, places you go, things you do, etc.
Whatever it is that takes you to the place of death (not literally) or to a place of unhappiness, whatever that “thing” is, take those old clothes off and put on some new clothes. Put on a new mindset; dress for the new season that you are in. Lazarus had to take off his old smelly, rotting, decaying linens to walk into his new season.
Just because you had some smelly linens in one season of your life doesn’t mean that you have to continue to smell like the season you just came out of or are currently in.
Take this story and let it make you want to put on some new fresh clothes. Jesus waited four days purposely so that when Lazarus arose from his death people would know that it was a miracle from God.
God wants to make a miracle out of you and take you from your grave clothes to the front of Vogue magazine!
Don’t get stuck in your old season, transition on over. It may hurt, you may cry, you may moan and groan, but remember weeping only lasts for the night, and joy comes in the morning.
Look at me; I’ve had MANY wardrobe changes, but you know what?! God still loves me! He has given me the strength to take off the old smelly clothes and transition into my new so fresh and so clean clothes.
It’s a new season, it’s your new season; dress to impress!
great analogy with the summer clothes for your winter season. Man oh man I have definitely tried to keep my summer clothes on in the blizzard! haha
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