“Lazarus, the one that died in the Bible? Is that your own Lazarus?” She snickered.
“No, her Lazarus must be that one that was poor; the one that was waiting for the crumbs from the rich man’s table.” Her friend tittered.
Statements like this were constants when I was younger. I disliked Bible Knowledge classes in primary school and Christian Religious Studies classes in Junior Secondary School whenever I knew that it was time for the ‘Lazarus story’ or the ‘Lazarus’ parable. This is because people would make jest of me. You know, both Lazaruses experienced unpleasant situations. The ‘Lazarus story’ is about Jesus’ friend who died and four days later, he was raised to life by Jesus. The ‘Lazarus parable’ is a story told by Jesus about a poor man who had sores all over his body and waited on the crumbs from a rich man’s table. The poor man died and rested in Abraham’s bosom and the rich man died and went to hell.
One Lazarus died; one Lazarus was poor.
They are not many people’s favourite characters. They are not like Joseph or David or Deborah or Paul or Ruth or Hannah.
At some point, I disliked my surname. I was ashamed of it. I wanted to change it. Fast forward to three years later, I began to LOVE MY SURNAME!💖
And…
‘Lazarus’ has opened up stimulating conversations for me. ‘Lazarus’ has made me unforgettable. ‘Lazarus’ has made doors open.
Look at how petty I was back then. I was ashamed of the label I carry; a label God gave me (God chose my family for me). I wanted to throw away an identification that made me unique.
Friend, what are you throwing away? What has God given you that you are rejecting?
WHO ARE YOU?
WHY ARE YOU REJECTING WHO GOD HAS MADE YOU?
WHY ARE YOU REJECTING YOUR UNIQUENESS?
By the way, ‘LAZARUS’ means ‘whom God helps’; ‘whom God has helped’; ‘assistance of God’. It is a meaningful identification.😊
P.S- Future Husband, when we get married, I would like to add my surname to yours so I’d be Mrs Toluwanimi Lazarus-…..
© Toluwanimi Lazarus (2019)
