The Community that Unbinds
The raising of Lazarus reminds us that wholeness is a communal act.
When Jesus stands at the tomb, he calls Lazarus to “come out.” Like so many queer people, Lazarus finds the strength to come out. However, he is still wrapped in grave clothes. Lazarus cannot finish the work himself. So Jesus turns to the crowd and says, “Unbind him, and set him free.”
Resurrection begins with Lazarus stepping out, but freedom comes when the community joins the work. The grave clothes are removed by many hands. Wholeness becomes something shared.
I am experiencing that same kind of communal unbinding right now. Fifty nine people have donated to my top surgery fund, and each one is part of this journey with me. They are unbinding me. Each donation is a hand loosening another strip of cloth that has held me back from living fully in my body.
My top surgery is one month from today, April 16. It is a step toward wholeness, toward living more fully as the person God created me to be. But like Lazarus, I cannot do it alone.
If you would like to be part of this journey toward wholeness, you can donate to:
https://www.gofundme.com/manage/journey-with-joelle-supporting-her-gender-affirming-surgery
Resurrection stories are about communities that refuse to leave one another wrapped in cloths of death. They are about people who show up, reach out their hands, and help set one another free.
