I went to a Twitter party to gather with my peeps
A chance to share our news but not to go too deep
When I got to the Twitter party, they all knew my name
They all recognized me and know night’s are not my gameThe room was full before the hostess showed When Kate walked in the room did glow What does she have in store for us Can I write for five – oh yes I must
With bated breath for the word we wait Sad? Happy? Green? Could the word be GREAT? Looks like she’s ready to blurt it out……. I can’t believe it – the word is DOUBT!
Let’s do it…setting the timer…go!
Years ago I heard Joyce Meyer teach a lesson on DOUBT and DREAD – she called them twin sisters! Since that message I have changed my thinking a lot. I used to say things like I dread going to the grocery store. I dread cleaning out the garden. THEN, I realized how blessed I was to be able to do those things. Doubt has not been as big an issue for me as dread was.
Of course, being a student of The Word, doubt immediately conjures up thoughts of Thomas the Doubter. Personally, I like Thomas a lot – because he was real. He openly admitted to the Lord that he doubted it was really Him, post-death/burial/resurrection. Ya know that took courage. Jesus kindly showed Thomas the nail imprints in his wrist. I wonder if he felt like an idiot after that? However, I bet old Thomas never doubted again, especially things Jesus had said before His death. Things like:
My Father who is in heaven, hallowed is Your Name. Matthew 6
Blessed are the merciful – they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5
If I go away – I will come again. John 14
I am going to send you a Comforter – Who will teach you all things. John 16
Go into the world and preach the Gospel – for it is the only Truth that leads to eternal life. Matthew 28.16-20
[time is up but I’m finishing.]
You know, insignificant things like that! I think Thomas was brave, in John 11 when Jesus and the twelve learned of Lazarus’ death and Jesus was telling them about HIS OWN death, Thomas looked at the other eleven and said, “Well, let’s go die with Jesus.” I don’t know about you, but I think that took real guts.
DOUBTing Thomas – maybe that’s who he WAS but he finished well. He took Jesus’ final words to heart and traveled off to India to share the Good News that Jesus Christ is the only Savior – and He had proof because as DOUBTful as he was, he held the hands that were pierced. Pierced for all the DOUBTer’s of the world then and now and to come.
DOUBTer to BELIEVEr!
Yes, Lord!
xo
Oh I love it! And I love that you pointed out that Thomas was Brave… in his being real… and that he finished well! Amen! Let that be said of us, too!
Thanks for testing my friend. Let it be said.
Hi Susan!
Yes! I love that Thomas’ doubt and boldness to question Jesus’ resurrection was included in John’s Gospel! Shouldn’t he have known? I so love how Jesus meets us where we are and reveals Himself to us as we need Him. He showed Thomas his wounds so that Thomas might believe. Amen and amen! Bethann
Amen! Jesus must just roll His holy eyes and say, “When will they get it?” 😉 Thanks for visiting Bethann.
I love that Thomas was a doubter. He shows us our humanity. That we all doubt at times. So cool that he went from doubter to believer! And your poem at the beginning made me smile. Loved it!
Everything and everyone we need to show us our humanity and our redemption in Christ can be found between Genesis and Revelation. Do you think that was pre-planned!!! xo
Wonderful! I think there’s nothing wrong with doubt. It is a part of our humanity after all. Like Thomas, it’s what we do with the doubt, when we face it, that matters. To finish bravely and well. Yep.
Yep…and it’s something we work towards every day. Baby steps some days. Backward steps some days. At times a mighty leap. Thanks for coming by friend. Awifeagain? xo
I have never thought of Thomas as being brave but I love that perspective. Being a person who questions things because I am seeking answers, I would still like to be called brave because I am choosing to follow Jesus. Thank you for this new perspective. Have a great weekend.
You are brave, Mary!
Susan,
I’m glad you don’t dread going to the grocery store. 😉 And, I’m glad you have no doubt how much you are wanted and loved at the twitter parties! Thomas was brave, indeed. We are taught to accept and never question, but that can lead to problems indeed. Thomas was willing to question and ask why, but when convinced, you could not have spoken to him otherwise.
His name means “twin”. I wonder if he had an identical twin, or fraternal? Was he the good twin or the bad twin?
Thanks so much for sharing the beauty of Thomas’ faith journey!! (and for coming over to my corner as well)
Love,
Tammy
(#16 this week)
Tammy, you’re so kind to your “older sis”…xo
I always remember a sermon where they talked about what happened to Thomas, and that he went to India to preach, and about the miracles he performed. It’s so true that in our weakness he is strong.
Melissa – the only strength I am is IN HIM!
Love this post, Susan! We often focus on Thomas’ doubts but not so much on his believe and his willingness to go all in on that belief. We can turn our doubts into belief too!!
Absolutely! Doubter to Believer!
Thank you for bringing to light the after story of Thomas. That moment in time when he ask a very real and understandable question was possibly the best moment for Thomas. It may have been the point in which a new fire of faith burned in him. He was transformed that moment, and we focus on his doubt.
When I think about it, I wonder if I took those moments in time–times I responded in an all-too-human way and labeled myself a less-than-flattering label–to Jesus. With Jesus, he would take my questions and real-ness in a way that only he can and let me experience him in a new and deepening way. Oh, that I would take all my real moments to him and be transformed.
I’m so glad I visited you today.
Cheryl, I’m so glad you did too!