Faith Lost & Found

Thomas said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands . . . and put my hand in his side, I will not believe it." (Jn. 20:25)

If you've ever taken a leap of faith toward God and then had the bottom fall out of your hopes, you can relate to Thomas. Maybe you lay it on the line for God, and then your ministry fails, you get fired, or crisis strikes. It feels like you trustingly fell backwards, expecting God to catch you, and he didn't. Whack! You hit the ground and the breath of faith is knocked right out of you.

That's what happened to Thomas. After that kind of experience, the next time someone tries to talk to you about what God can do, you don't want to hear it--not because you're a stubborn skeptic, but because you've been burned and you're skiddish about reapproaching the fire. What if you get burned again? You're afraid of the pain of further disappointment.

The best thing you can do is put yourself in a position to where if Jesus shows up, you'll not miss it. Thomas wasn't with the disciples that Sunday after the crucifixion, but he showed up again the next week, doubts and all. You have to open yourself up to the possibility of faith again. You have to want to believe. That is the difference between Thomas and the many religious leaders who saw Jesus do indisputable miracles and yet still refused to believe.

Thomas' desire to believe again, despite his doubts and fears, was rewarded. Even more "blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." (v. 29)

Jesus, my faith in you will not be conditioned on you fulfilling all of my expectations. Amen.

And here's food for thought--how was Thomas better as a result of God letting him fall and then helping him get back up?