A Little Doubting Thomas Within Us All
I traveled. It was a faith filled experience and the journey did what I’d hoped. It fueled my faith. Intentional was I in choosing this particular destination. A three-day retreat in the area of the world I’d always longed to visit but never did. Any side trips were mere icing on the cake.
Looking at a bone labeled “St. Luke the Evangelist” was moving. Seeing the remnants of a miracle was breathtaking. Walking upon the very steps Jesus did was internal calisthenics for the soul. Standing near to where St. Peter was martyred made my heart quicken.
Overall, it was an experience which deeply moved and upon returning, I will never be the same. It was an experience which helped build faith. In other words, I went, I saw, and I was strengthened — just like Thomas, one of the twelve apostles. Thomas was looking for proof by asking Jesus to prove it was really Him by allowing Thomas to put his finger into the wounds of Christ. Thomas got what he was looking for. Although I wasn’t looking for proof, my faith was strengthened and a spirit of boldness has remained with a certainty I cannot explain.
Perhaps there’s a little bit of Thomas within us all. We need encouragement by taking time away. If not in a land far away, perhaps a pocket of quiet somewhere—anywhere.
I recently heard a different take on Thomas and it was an appealing account of this same story. While growing up, Thomas was referred to as doubting Thomas. Shame, shame, shame. Don’t wanna be like that.
This man on the radio, whose name I do not remember, said something to the affect that Jesus knew what Thomas needed in order to strengthen his faith. Not only did Jesus know this, but offered exactly what Thomas needed. Speaking gently, He invited Thomas in by allowing him to touch His wounds.
Why not just do away with Thomas and reprimand him for lack of faith? Why? Because Jesus, the Son of God, knows we all have pockets of Thomas within. Even better, Jesus knows He can provide that which we need to grow our faith, and He does provide.
He strengthens our faith just when we need it most. And the best part? He can speak to us right where we are. We need not journey far.
Speaking to a man of wisdom in this place far away, he suggested three things to me.
1. Pray.
2. Pray for my family members.
3. Be more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
I smiled. Why? I smiled because back home—in the quiet on the farm—God was speaking the exact same thing.
“If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:15).
Amen.
