Doubting Thomas

This week we took a look at Thomas...better known as doubting Thomas.  Thomas was one of the named 12 disciples of Jesus.  We know from Scripture in John's Gospel that Thomas was willing to follow Jesus, even to the point of death (see John 11:1-16).  We probably know Thomas better by the story of him asking to see Jesus' hands and side as proof that it was actually him after Jesus had been crucified.

We often think of doubt as a bad thing.  In reality, though, if doubt helps lead us to asking questions, it can be a very good thing.  It is difficult to grow in our faith if we never ask questions about things that confuse or concern us.  Asking questions and seeking answers helps us better understand our faith and what it means to be a Christian.  And I would venture to guess that each of you has at least one person you know that you can go to with your questions.  It is so important to have these people in our lives.  Without them, doubt can sometimes start to overcome our faith.

We did a little experiment to visualize this.  Some of us filled a balloon with air and tied it off.  Others of us filled up a balloon with water and tied it shut.  When we have faith without any support like the balloon with nothing in it but air, and expose it to something difficult (in our experiment, a candle flame) it pops!  But when we have support in our faith journey, like the balloon filled with water, and we run into a difficult situation, our faith survives and helps get us through!  Those balloons didn't pop when held over the flame.  Who do you have in your life that supports you in your faith and you can ask questions to when you have concerns or are confused?

Don't have someone like that in your life?  Let's talk!