When Jesus called unto Lazarus to rise, instantly he rose. But quickly after, Jesus also said, “Take off your grave clothes” and immediately they fell because he knew he was no longer bound to death. Lazarus knew the future of life God breathed into him, but before he could fulfill it, he had to let go of the past.

In life, you do not always have to be physically ill and lying on your death bed to be sporting grave clothes. Sometimes, lounging around in deadly things looks like dwelling on your past, on your mistakes and brokenness. Sometimes, even just wondering what could have been if things had been different is the most deadly thing that we can be a part of. Dwelling in your past rips you from your joy, it rips you from your future.

If Lazarus rose but never took off his grave clothes, he would still be hanging around with death. He would be consumed with his burdens, his past life and all of his failures. When Lazarus rose, he rose a new man. But his grave clothes were heavy and Jesus knew as much as Lazarus was newly full of life, his clothes were just as newly full of death.

A dear friend once told me that I had been playing with a dead body when I was being consumed with the past. I was a bit offended because I thought, “She has no right to say these things to me because she just doesn’t understand. It is not that serious”. But it was that serious. And she had every right to be honest with me, just like God has every right to show me the very things I refuse to believe. I was instantly reminded of dogs when they bury the bones, but then turn around and repeatedly dig them right out. Playing with death only leaves you lifeless and in a burdened repetition. Running around in circles becomes tiring, yet you forget that it is up to you to walk away. So simply, walk away. Know that you have a future and know that you are in control of the path you take to get there.

You do not have to be bound to the things God has not promised you. Choose life and live today freely just as you would if God breathed life into you because He did before you were even born. There is a future ahead of you, full of life and joy. Do not be consumed with the things that you can no longer control, instead, grasp what you can control and live your life to the fullest. Live every day as if God breathed life into you every single morning, because He has. Enjoy the sunshine. Bask in the glory of His name. Always be wrapped in God’s promises. Radiate in the promises of His future for you. Roll away your stone that is holding you down and step out into the light and rise again.

Awake, oh Sleeper, rise from the dead and Christ will give you light!