Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Children can find miracles in the simplest of places. A dandelion becomes a million wishes, a rainbow from the hose leads to buried treasure, dust motes in the sunshine transform into tiny fairies.
Yet, as we get older, our ability to see God’s power often shrinks. Miracles become mundane. Dandelion wishes turn into weeds. Rainbows mean thunderstorms. Dust motes require the vacuum cleaner. Those things don’t go away; our doubt prevents us from seeing them clearly.
The Bible tells us about Thomas, one of Jesus’s disciples. Even though the other disciples had witnessed it, Thomas doubted that Jesus had truly risen from the grave. He had seen Jesus perform amazing miracles, but this one seemed too good to be true.
John 20:26-27
26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
Rather than being pushed away by Thomas’ doubts, Jesus came nearer. He wasn’t disappointed. He met Thomas in the midst of his uncertainty and fear. Even though Thomas didn’t believe in him, Jesus didn’t stop believing in Thomas.
It is hard to give up our doubts, to take that step of faith into the unknown. However, it is by trusting Jesus through our doubts that we are able to see his miracles at work in our lives. Thomas continued reaching out to Jesus, bringing his fears and questions to his Savior.
Ephesians 2:8
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
For the rest of our lives here on Earth, we are going to have questions and doubts about God. However, he is the one who gives us faith, the one who helps us overcome all of the doubts that get in our way. We can trust that he will draw near to us no matter what.
Miracles are all around us, and none of them more beautiful and incredible than Jesus’ sacrifice. He is right here, ready to help us trust him more.
Questions:
What doubts and questions are you wrestling with about God? What can you do today to take those doubts to him and trust him to answer in his timing?
Next Steps:
Write out your doubts on a piece of paper, and pray over them. Ask God to meet you there, and give you faith to keep following him. Look for miracles in your everyday life, and praise God for the beautiful gifts he provides.
If you haven’t chosen to follow Christ, today is the perfect opportunity! Tell him about your doubts and questions, and ask for help trusting him.
Prayer:
Father, I believe, but help my unbelief! Help me with my doubts and fears, which crowd out my ability to see you. Give me the courage to follow you in faith, even if I don’t understand it all. Today, I choose to trust you. I love you. Amen.
Today’s post was written by Lydia Snyder, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut.