The Lazarus Life Quotes

“Listen. Do you hear that? It is the Voice of Love calling: “Come forth, I love you. I know, it’s not easy, but I’ll be with you. Friends will help too. I know you don’t think you can, but trust Me. Yes, it will hurt, but I love you. The life I promised you is waiting. Keep stumbling forward. I love you. I always have.” God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into radical life-change. (Rom. 2:4 MSG)”
― Stephen W. Smith, The Lazarus Life: Spiritual Transformation for Ordinary People

“Famed novelist Victor Hugo has reminded us: “It is nothing to die; it is dreadful not to live.”
― Stephen W. Smith, The Lazarus Life: Spiritual Transformation for Ordinary People

“Looking for Family When I first became a follower of Jesus, I had high hopes for finding brothers and sisters, even fathers and mothers, who could help me grow as a new believer. The Christian language of family deeply appealed to me. It sounded like a place of belonging. I imagined times when the fatted calf would be roasted for the next few prodigals who arrived home. I looked for small groups, church meetings, and the fellowship of the “one anothers”1 to offer me what I thought was the norm for the Christian experience of life. I have found that I am not alone in my quest. Many of us are looking for the same thing. Yet our search for a place to belong and for a people to “do” life with often leaves us disappointed and disillusioned. No matter how hard we try, no matter how many places we look, friendship and community can be a superficial experience that never satisfies the soul. We long for the deep friendships of David and Jonathan and Ruth and Naomi, but with the busyness of life, who has time to foster such friendships? What was meant to be community often turns into “catch up” times over coffee where we share safe stories of vacations and children. What God has reminded me is that in every group, every family, and every church, people are wearing their own graveclothes. So am I. But I forget this so often, hoping that this group could be the place where I can finally deal with something important in my life, and all my needs will be met—finally.”
― Stephen W. Smith, The Lazarus Life: Spiritual Transformation for Ordinary People

“We have hope in our transformation when we realize that we see today, and God sees eternity.”
― Stephen W. Smith, The Lazarus Life: Spiritual Transformation for Ordinary People

“Transformation involves working through our disappointments and disillusionments in life.”
― Stephen W. Smith, The Lazarus Life: Spiritual Transformation for Ordinary People

“Is there a way to choose a few things and do them well rather than do a lot of things halfway or not at all? Can we accept the fact that we may be in a season when we need to say no with the understanding that the season will not last forever?”
― Stephen W. Smith, The Lazarus Life: Spiritual Transformation for Ordinary People