Cool....Now I Believe!
Good Morning Girls! I don't know about you, but for me, it seems like there are times when no matter what is happening around me, my faith is unshakable! I mean, things happen that should have me in the fetal position- but instead I laugh and say "Praise the Lord, this is going to be awesome to watch the move of God." Oh how I love it when I feel so strong, secure, and grounded in faith. I purpose to spend all of my days in that place.
But how many of you know that it is difficult at times to remain in that strong, secure, and grounded place? I know it doesn't have to be. I know my faith gets stronger and more solid day after day. I also know that there are still times when I am caught off guard and knocked on my hiney. I guess you could say I get the Spiritual wind knocked out of me!
I used to get mad at myself when I experienced doubt and unbelief. I would catch myself thinking "Come on Jen, you should know better than that!". Sometimes the guilt would do more damage to my faith than the period of doubt did. Pretty soon I had myself believing that I didn't even deserve to receive what I asked for in prayer since I did not have true faith when I made my request to the Lord. Oh how the devil loves to take the Word and pervert it and twist it and use it to drive us away!
This morning I was reading the account of Jesus' clearing the Temple. He was angry that his Father's house was being used as a marketplace more than a place of worship. He told the Jewish leaders "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Now he was talking about himself, but the leaders thought he meant the building. It goes on to say in John 2:22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus told them.
You want to know what struck me as funny about this? The disciples were with Jesus when he performed countless miracles. He had rescued them from danger. He had healed everyone he came into contact with. He had taught the Scriptures in such a way that even the religious leaders of the day were amazed. Even after all of this the disciples still had moments of doubt! They didn't believe they had food to feed the hungry crowd. They cried like a bunch of school girls when they were on the boat in the storm. They ran away when Jesus was arrested, not believing they would be protected. There are so many times when Jesus performed a miracle and then one of them would say "wowza, that was cool.....NOW I believe". (admittedly that is a loose interpretation of the moment)
I believe God included all of these "wow that was cool, now I believe" moments so we would not beat ourselves up when we go through moments of doubt. Jesus does say those who believe without seeing are blessed, so we do see the value in blind faith, and we press on to stay in faith. However, He never says "you idiots, I am so sick of your doubt that I no longer want you to be my disciple. You are bad for my image. You are crappy Christians. I am done with you. No more miracles for you!" NO, though at times he may shake his head and say "how many more signs and wonders do you need in order to believe?" He never gets so angry that he wipes his hands of us!
He included these "doubt moments" for us so we can pick ourselves up and press on. He knows and understands our human nature. Most importantly, he loves us, even when we are struggling to believe!
John 2:22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.
Believing without seeing-
Jen
But how many of you know that it is difficult at times to remain in that strong, secure, and grounded place? I know it doesn't have to be. I know my faith gets stronger and more solid day after day. I also know that there are still times when I am caught off guard and knocked on my hiney. I guess you could say I get the Spiritual wind knocked out of me!
I used to get mad at myself when I experienced doubt and unbelief. I would catch myself thinking "Come on Jen, you should know better than that!". Sometimes the guilt would do more damage to my faith than the period of doubt did. Pretty soon I had myself believing that I didn't even deserve to receive what I asked for in prayer since I did not have true faith when I made my request to the Lord. Oh how the devil loves to take the Word and pervert it and twist it and use it to drive us away!
This morning I was reading the account of Jesus' clearing the Temple. He was angry that his Father's house was being used as a marketplace more than a place of worship. He told the Jewish leaders "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Now he was talking about himself, but the leaders thought he meant the building. It goes on to say in John 2:22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus told them.
You want to know what struck me as funny about this? The disciples were with Jesus when he performed countless miracles. He had rescued them from danger. He had healed everyone he came into contact with. He had taught the Scriptures in such a way that even the religious leaders of the day were amazed. Even after all of this the disciples still had moments of doubt! They didn't believe they had food to feed the hungry crowd. They cried like a bunch of school girls when they were on the boat in the storm. They ran away when Jesus was arrested, not believing they would be protected. There are so many times when Jesus performed a miracle and then one of them would say "wowza, that was cool.....NOW I believe". (admittedly that is a loose interpretation of the moment)
I believe God included all of these "wow that was cool, now I believe" moments so we would not beat ourselves up when we go through moments of doubt. Jesus does say those who believe without seeing are blessed, so we do see the value in blind faith, and we press on to stay in faith. However, He never says "you idiots, I am so sick of your doubt that I no longer want you to be my disciple. You are bad for my image. You are crappy Christians. I am done with you. No more miracles for you!" NO, though at times he may shake his head and say "how many more signs and wonders do you need in order to believe?" He never gets so angry that he wipes his hands of us!
He included these "doubt moments" for us so we can pick ourselves up and press on. He knows and understands our human nature. Most importantly, he loves us, even when we are struggling to believe!
John 2:22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.
Believing without seeing-
Jen
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