“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting – over and over announcing your place in the family of things.” – Mary Oliver, Wild Geese

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John 11:43-44

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out (of the tomb), tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.”

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Are you in need of new life?

Do you feel like you are imprisoned; entombed so to speak?

Like you have no power?

You are not meant to live such a life.

Jesus said in the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 10: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Jesus said you were meant for abundant life!

Today’s scripture verses came to me other day when I realized I had let religion put me in a tomb.

Rules upon rules and guilt trip upon guilt trip had taken its toll.

I realized how I had been tied hand and foot.

Male authority figures had concocted a religion that constricted my spirit.

It did not encourage freedom and life.

There are certain religious authority figures now who are traumatizing people, binding them in guilt and unworthiness.

It’s tragic.

The truth is: You are a beloved child of the One who made all things.

You are part of the One.

You cannot be otherwise.

You are loved unconditionally.

You are meant to know your belovedness and then to live as a unique expression of this belovedness to the world.

We all have our shadows, our struggles, that are part of our human condition.

But as the Jesuit theologian and scientist Teilhard de Chardin stated: “We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

Do not beat yourself up over the complex human experience.

Struggles are meant to help you grow in love.

This happens through the grace of being accepted just as you are!

God wants to love you, not punish you!

You are a beautiful, unconditionally loved child of God.

What is holding you in chains?

Addictions? Fears? Religion?

Whatever it is, there is help for you.

There are people who know the real Jesus who are ready to embrace you.

Jesus is calling you to come out of the tomb.

Untie your hands and feet.

You are free!

Live in that freedom!

Be you!

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Listen to the song of the day “The Way You Are” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

My 4 albums and 2 books (Mercy Reigns & Listen to Your Heart) are available for purchase HERE. Also available on Amazon.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!