The Comeback, part 2
It gives me great joy to be blogging again. I pray that what the Lord showed me through John 20 will fill you with hope and faith.
If you read part one of "The Comeback" last week, you got a chance to remember that our Jesus showed up to His disciple, Thomas, for an extraordinary VIP encounter. Thomas missed seeing Jesus when Jesus first showed Himself to the other disciples, and even though all of the other disciples shared about the encounter with Thomas, it was not enough for him.
Our God is so merciful that Jesus showed back up eight days later so that Thomas could see Jesus for himself.
When I started this passage in my priority time, my first thoughts went to Thomas. It's hard not to wonder why Thomas was the only one who didn't show up. Did he miss the memo? Were his notifications on silent? Out doing good in the world? Had a blister, and Uber wasn't an option? Should I be mad at him, or should I feel bad for him?
This no-show is worse than missing your sister's wedding. Come on, Thomas!
But then I was reminded that the Bible is a love letter to us so we can know who our God is and become more like Him. This account is not to point fingers at Thomas but to remind our hearts of who our God is. Our God is good. Our God is the Comeback King.
Our God is full of compassion...
Even when we doubt.
Even when we miss an opportunity to encounter Him.
Even when we screw up.
For my sports-minded friends, Jesus came before the "one and done" era. He is slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness towards His children. He doesn't give us one chance and then says He is done with us.
The enemy loves to tell us lies about God and lies about ourselves. Unfortunately, we sometimes decide to believe those lies, especially when life doesn't go our way.
If you are tempted to believe that God is not good because you have experienced something painful, I encourage you to let truth be your guide. I have heard it said this way, "Truth must be your engine, and your feelings must be your caboose." Letting your feelings lead you is a miserable way to live.
The truth:
God loves you.
God is for you.
Only God knows what is best.
Only God wants what is best.
Only God can give what is best.
Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean God is not good.
Almost every human being has gone through a situation they did not understand. I am right there with you. But here is my encouragement to you:
You are entitled to your freak-out moment, and you aren't human if you encounter a trial and don't ask, "why?" But do not let that moment become a habit. And do not let that habit become a lifestyle.
Have your moment, and then remember what is true.
He is for you.
He is with you.
On this side of heaven, we are told we will encounter trials, but our good God will walk with us through them.
As I leave you today, I encourage you to ask the Lord:
In what area do I believe the lie that You are not good?
Have I allowed something I don't understand to create a lifestyle of doubt in me?
Anything He shows you is to allow you to lay it down and run into His arms.