A Turning Point (Rev. Kim DuBreuil)
Have you ever sat in a parking lot waiting for someone to come out of a spot. You see them sitting in the car, brake lights are on. You notice them looking at you in their rearview mirror and they just sit there. Meanwhile other cars behind you are waiting too. Then a few minutes later, the driver turns off the ignition, gets out of the car and walks into the store. Talk about frustration.
This is how I imagine the frustration that Mary and Martha were experiencing waiting for Jesus to show up to heal their brother. Only to have Lazarus die, be buried, and four days later – Jesus shows up!
Jesus arrives, amid grief – but their frustration takes A Turning Point. A miracle happens. Lazarus’s Resurrection is about finding hope and new life in situations that are frustrating and final. Yet, four days after his friend Lazarus dies and is buried, Jesus raises him from the dead.
This story often mirrors our own experiences, struggles, or crises where we feel God is absent or late. Times when we might say, as Martha and Mary did, “Lord, if you had just been here, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Many of us have experienced times when we created our own limiting beliefs – making comments like, “If only…you were here – but you were too late”.
Let me give you a few examples of limiting beliefs to help you out.
Maybe you’ve said: “If only I were younger, older, smarter, or had more money.” It’s our “If (this), then (that) way of thinking.
Maybe you’ve made statements like:
‘I’m not ______, (enough, worthy, happy).’
Or maybe it’s the opposite “I’m to0 ___ (overweight, tired, busy).
Limiting beliefs are those declarations that are often based on our past comparisons, others’ criticisms, or shame. The kind that are unhealthy—yes, it’s unhealthy—to diminish values to the point of denying ourselves in the process.
Perhaps you’ve made comments like:
‘Life is ____’ (out of balance, unfair, out of control, or “like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get.) Okay, Forrest Gump, these comments stem from the way you perceive the world. And sometimes we tend to over exaggerate a bit.
Here’s another one, ‘People are ____,’ (mean, selfish, controlling, manipulative). When we say people are…followed by some sort of generalization, we are really sharing our own perception of some people rather than a universal truth about all people.
When we recognize that these beliefs stem from a mindset of limitation and external control, we can begin to see things from a new perspective.
Let’s face it, we all see things differently and we are shaped by our environment, culture, others’ opinions, past limitations, or those comments that have influenced our choices and current situations. And sometimes, we think if only we could change things – life would get better.
We try moving to a new area, getting a new job, or finding a new relationship – hoping for things to get better. Here’s what we often miss.
When we don’t identify our limiting beliefs; we carry them with us.
That’s why we keep encountering the same situations or similar people in our lives. The very things we’re trying to leave behind come with us. Let me ask you another question.
I used to think the answer was, “No.”
Then I realized you can help people change if you have enough influence. Influencers are everywhere.
Let’s say, “I’m going to give up ice cream for Lent.”
Then, wherever you go, you see ice cream, milkshakes, and images of hot fudge banana sundaes. Even if you decide not to eat ice cream during Lent, you find your “car” driving itself into your favorite drive-through, or your “grocery cart” pulling you down the frozen food aisle. Okay, maybe that just happens to me!
We are being led by outside influences, not our car or grocery cart. You know, those influencers, are being paid to sway you. We get drawn into their offers and advertising, usually because we’re trying to fulfill one of our basic human needs (I’ll get to those in a minute).
You tell yourself, “I don’t have time to add another thing to my calendar.” Then someone asks you, “Hey, would you be willing…and before they tell you what it is, you say, ‘of course, I’d love to help.’”
It’s important to remember that influence can guide us, but we still have the power to make our own decisions. Influence is one of the greatest teachings Jesus offered people. Jesus knew how to change our hearts and minds, yet He gave us the choice, and the free will to do it.
According to American psychologist Abraham Maslow and many others, we all share the same basic human needs. I’d add that we just prioritize them differently.
We all need Certainty and Control. Sometimes our fear of losing control fosters a limiting belief that God is confined to time. We think that if God doesn’t act on our schedule, the situation is hopeless.
We need safety, security, and stability. We need the certainty that our basic needs such as food, water, and shelter will be met.
Mary and Martha lived in a culture where women depended on their families or spouse for survival.
These two sisters needed reassurance from Jesus that He would care for them by healing their sick brother. When Jesus come in time to heal Lazarus, they are frustrated, hurt, and grief-stricken for more than the loss of their brother. Mary and Martha felt Jesus was “too late” when they needed certainty.
We all crave Uncertainty and Variety. We all love surprises, if we expect them.
It’s those Christmas mornings, small ring boxes, surprise parties, vacations to new places, career changes, and new relationships that add spice to life. Uncertainty and Variety is why we believe that if we change things – life will get better, and more exciting.
Jesus redirects Martha from her past pain to the present power when He tells her, “I am the resurrection and the life” (verse 25). He is not just a healer of the past; Jesus is the source of life in the present.
We all want to feel Important, Appreciated, and Significant. Everyone wants to feel special. Have you ever had a birthday or anniversary only to have those significant others forget about it? Perhaps you did an excellent job at work, but no one acknowledged your efforts. You studied and practiced but didn’t get the results you hoped for, or you didn’t make the team.
Shame often makes our situation seem too far gone, even for God to fix. Yet, Jesus still asks for the stone to be removed. Jesus isn’t afraid of the mess or smell. When we fear being exposed – it stops us from letting Jesus into our darkest and most desperate places.
We all have a deep need to go beyond ourselves to help and serve the greater good. That’s why we say, “Of course I’d love to help.” The secret to finding joy is to contribute to the needs of others.
We also crave love and connection. After all, isn’t that why we seek a companion, join a local group, book club, gym, or volunteer at church? We all have a basic need of belonging!
You’ve probably heard another story about Mary and Martha. The one where Martha wants her sister to help with preparations for their guests. Martha finds Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet and tells Him, “Get her to help me!” And Jesus explains, “Martha, Martha! Mary is doing what is important right now.”
We all need time for action, and time for interaction. Jesus calls us to stop merely observing and start partnering with Him. Many believed in Jesus, and some became active participants in the work of miracles. Jesus invites us to help “unbind” others – offering hope, encouraging the discouraged, and trusting Jesus with the impossible. And our last basic need is…
We all want to Grow. Without growth, we are dying. One of our biggest limitations is our fear of death, which can often impede our spiritual growth.
The truth is, if we want to grow, we must change. This applies to our relationships, businesses, and even the Church.
Relationships grow when there are built on trust, open communication, and shared experiences. Yet, if we’re uncertain to grow alongside someone, those connections can fade.
Businesses grow by welcoming new customers, boosting sales, and making smarter decisions. When companies are not open to change and unwilling to invest in it, they set themselves up for failure.
Church growth thrives when there’s vibrant spiritual life, active community involvement, and thoughtful outreach that deepen our discipleship. If we’re not open to change and willing to become closer followers of Jesus, or to adapt our strategies across various ministries, the Church might not reach new heights to make Christlike disciples and change the world.
Perhaps you’ve heard someone say, “I don’t like change!”
What they are really expressing is, “I am unwilling to grow.”
When we are not growing, we are dying.
Through Lazarus, we learn that death doesn’t have the final word.
Lazarus’ resurrection accelerated what was to come — The Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The resurrection of Lazarus foretells Jesus’ victory over death. Jesus demonstrated that our physical boundaries and the finality of death do not limit God’s power. Jesus offers us a choice of death or life. When we believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we grow in faith and bear witness to God’s power. Death is not the end – it is a new beginning – eternal life.
Truly, we all share the same desires that Mary and Martha experienced during their life crisis. We want Jesus to come and meet our basic needs.
Jesus didn’t delay his trip to help Mary and Martha out of a lack of compassion, empathy, or love. He knew their crisis could be a chance to grow and deepen their understanding of God. His miraculous resurrection became an opportunity to strengthen our faith and prove God’s glory.
Let go of your limiting beliefs and let Lent be A Turning Point for a life of assurance and trust in Jesus Christ
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are the Resurrection and the Life.
Like Mary and Martha, we come to You with a broken heart, burdened by the “stinky” situations that seem to limit our beliefs, our fears, and our doubts that bind us.
We confess that we often live as if this life is all there is, or the fear that our past mistakes define my future. Yet, You stand before us asking: “Do you really believe this?”
Lord, we choose to believe.
We believe that You are greater than the grave.
We believe that You hold authority over death, making it but a sleep.
We believe that life is not meant to be lived in fear, but in Your love, which transcends the limitations of this world.
Unbind us, Lord.
Just as You commanded the friends of Lazarus to “unwrap him and let him go,” we ask You to break the linen strips of limiting beliefs that we still wear—the shame, the insecurity, and the old ways of thinking that hinder us from changing fully in Your new life. Speak into our life with a loud voice: “Come out!”.
Let us walk out of the tomb of our insecurities into the light of Your glory, knowing that we are loved and that our life has eternal purpose, starting right now, and continuing into life beyond this world.
Thank you, for hearing our prayer. Amen.