Scripture: John 20:26-28
Journal: What are the areas of doubt in your life these days? What does that look like? How is Jesus inviting you to stop doubting
and believe? What does that look like?
Reflection: Though the doors were
locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger
here; see my hands. Reach out your hand
and put it in my side. Stop doubting and
believe!” (John 20:26-27)
Doubt has many faces,
which can make it really difficult to identify and to combat. Knowing the various faces of our doubts,
knowing what they look like and what they cause us to do, as well as knowing what
is really at their core, is so key in the process of overcoming them.
Sometimes doubt looks like not really
believing that God can intervene in our lives in a real and tangible way, and
sometimes it looks like not really believing that he will. Sometimes doubt looks like not really
believing that God loves us, and sometimes it looks like not really believing
that we are worth loving. Sometimes it
looks like not really believing that God will act on our behalf, and sometimes
it looks like not really believing that we are worthy of being acted for. Thus, sometimes doubt has to do with
ourselves, sometimes it has to do with others, and sometimes it has to do with
our God.
But in all cases, doubt is
about not really believing. Not
really believing that God is good. Not
really believing that he is trustworthy.
Not really believing that he is enough.
Not really believing that he is living and active. Not really believing that he is always at
work for our growth and well-being. Not
really believing that he is in control.
And when we live in doubt,
it sets us off in really bad directions.
Our lives become filled with fear and anxiety and insecurity. Or we get overwhelmed and overcome with grief
and despair and depression. Or we find
ourselves frustrated and angry and bitter.
Or we become obsessed with jockeying and performing, or with managing
and controlling; all of which make us such terrible versions of ourselves. And God wants so much more for us than that. He wants us to believe.
That’s why he tells Thomas,
as well as you and me, “Stop doubting and believe!” It is both a command and an invitation. Not a command in the sense of “Do this or else,”
but in the sense of “Do this so that.”
Stop doubting so that your life will be all that I hoped and
dreamed it would be. Stop doubting so
that you will be controlled and compelled by love, rather than by fear and anxiety
and insecurity. Stop doubting so that
you can become more and more like the person I created you to be.
“Stop doubting and believe!”
is also an invitation. Jesus invites Thomas,
as well as each of us, into a new way of seeing and of being. He invites him to let go of certain ways of
thinking and living, so that he can experience the life and the freedom he was
made for. He invites him to be set free
from the old patterns and habits of the false self, in order that he might
become new and true. He invites him to “be
transformed by the renewing of his mind so that he can test and approve of what
God’s will is; his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) And he invites each of us into that process as
well.
So what would it look like
for you to “Stop doubting and believe!” today?
What does doubt look like for you right now? What “face” is it wearing? What effect is it having on your life? How is Jesus inviting you to believe in such
a way that it enables you to leave doubt, and all of its effects, behind? What does that look like? Will you do it?
For if you and I are willing
to answer these questions, and if we are willing to “Stop doubting and believe!”,
then maybe one day each of us will be able to stand before Jesus, as Thomas did,
and utter the words: “My Lord and my God!”
Prayer
Closing
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to “Stop doubting and
believe!” It is the deepest desire of my
soul. Amen.
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