Show Me the Scars

As followers of Jesus, I think we've got it set in our minds that it is not OK to question our faith.  (In fact, I wrote about this topic a few weeks ago.)  I also think we believe that we have to have faith like Abraham, Noah, or Peter.  You know, the type of faith that's unwavering.  Like Abraham moving to a foreign land he'd never seen.  Or building a boat like Noah even when he had never seen rain.  Or walking on water like Peter.  No big deal, right?!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am not like any of these guys!  Yes, I've had my moments where my faith has been sure and strong.  I've trusted God when He said move to India for 5 months.  I had faith that He would provide the finances and make sure I stayed healthy.  My faith never waivered when He called me into full-time missions for 6 years.


But, to be honest, I am much more like Thomas - the doubting disciple.  You know what?  I'm OK with that, for the most part.  You know what else?  Jesus is too.

After Jesus' death and resurrection, He appears to His disciples.  Except Thomas wasn't there, so he didn't believe the disciples when they told him they'd seen Jesus.  In fact, he said he wouldn't believe unless Jesus showed him the scars.  A week later, Jesus appears to His disciples again, and this time Thomas was present.  Jesus comes to Thomas and says, "see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side."

You see, Jesus isn't afraid of our questions and our doubt.  He's OK with us wanting to see and touch.  Like Thomas, when we reach out and touch Him, we believe.  When we ask questions, we grow closer to Jesus.

Here's the challenge, though - Jesus tells Thomas to "stop doubting and believe."  As we grow and mature in our relationship with Jesus, one day there will undoubtedly come a time when He tells us the same thing.  Stop doubting and believe. 

Are you like Thomas?  Has Jesus ever said to you, "stop doubting and believe"?

Is Questioning Your Faith OK?

This summer I am participating in Marla Taviano's Summer Read-A-Long.  Each participant is reading Rachel Held Evans' book Evolving in Monkey Town.  I picked up a copy of Rachel's book a year ago at a discount store and had every intention of reading it, but never did.  Good thing, I guess.  ;)

Anyway, this week the assignment was to read the preface and introduction to the book.  Then we were to go to Marla's blog and answer some questions.  If you want to know the questions and my answers, go find them in the comments.

I say that because what I really want to focus on in this post is the premise of Rachel's book - questioning.  Some would say that anyone of faith who questions their faith is way out of line.  That faith is some sort of blind acceptance.  You know, faith is believing without seeing.  So questioning one's faith means you don't have any faith at all.  But is that really true?

My faith journey started as a young girl.  I was only 10 when I started going to church regularly and when I heard about Jesus.  It was at that same age that I accepted Him into my heart and began the nearly 25 year journey.  As a young girl and young teen, I didn't question my faith.  I accepted what the children's church teachers said and what my youth pastor and pastor taught.

The older I got, the more I loved to learn.  I also loved to debate.  It was natural for me to want to learn how to debate all sides of the argument.  So I learned, researched, and questioned.  I went through missionary training school in my 20s (having felt called as a 13 year old to be a missionary) and was exposed to many different ways of thinking in my faith.  Then I went to college, and eventually earned my Masters degree.  All along the way, I've questioned my faith.  I've questioned others faith.  I've wrestled with the existence of God, the problem of evil, and on and on and on.  I still have questions.  I still wrestle.

Like Rachel says in Evolving, "I had to take a closer look at what I believed and find out what was truly essential."  In turn, my questioning hasn't led to doubt or disbelief.  Instead, it's brought me closer to Jesus.  And for that, I'm thankful.

Do you think it's okay to question your faith?  Have you ever questioned your faith?  If so, has it led to doubt & disbelief, or has it caused you to grow deeper in faith?