Friday, September 3, 2010

Faith Meets Doubt

"I sing a simple song of love. To my Savior, to my Jesus. I'm grateful for the things You've done, My loving Savior, my precious Jesus." By Kutless.

Such a simple song that reveals how simple things can bring honor, glory, and love to our Father God. Yet, one better, how simple it is to allow God to lavish His love upon us. My Redeemer, Rebuilder, Restorer, Daddy, and King- it is only to a God like you that I can give my praise. He bestows a love upon us that no one else can. He forgives us when no one else will. He accepts, and receives us where we are.

Why then do we condemn our doubts? Can our doubts not bring us closer to Him? Can doubts not help our times of unbelief?

To a friend whom we have just met we ask questions. We learn to trust them as we learn about them: their likes and dislikes. Yet, even when we have fully learned to trust them we still ask questions. We question the details we already know. If I said I loved purple someone may eventually ask what shade of purple.

It is the same in our relationship with God. We get to know His likes and dislikes through the Bible, the ten commandments, and through prayer. Sometimes we have questions, and sometimes we doubt. Should this be a negative thing? Absolutely not. Our passion for Christ comes from knowing Him deeper. We begin to know Him deeper by asking questions and 'talking' with Him.

I can not count how many times I have been told that there is no stupid question and I can not help but think that God says the same to us- His children! Why would He have His only Son die for us? A few people who doubted, Abraham (Genesis 12 & 15), Moses (Exodus 3:1-9 & 4), David (1 Samuel 27), John the Baptist (Matthew 11:2). Guess what? They are in the Bible. Then we have the disciples in Matthew 28:16 in verse 18 "but some doubted".

God knows our doubts and we tend to grow from them if bring them before God and ask Him to show us the way. He does not always tell us why. In fact, He did not tell John the Baptist 'why' but He did reassure Him.

It seems to me that our faith grows in the mist of doubt. In a previous entry I briefly mentioned my struggle with feeling loved. Not that I ever went without love, but I struggled in accepting love. I want to bond with the Father, I want to enter into a sonship with Him, and I want to enjoy what the Father enjoys! But. I am flawed. I have issues. I question. I sometimes feel unworthy, and unacceptable of His love. He proved my doubt wrong. He continues to prove my doubt wrong.

His love is simple, His love is strong, and His love is unimaginable and how shall I, of all people, respond to this type of love? I shall respond, though it may seem simple, with a song of love to my Savior,
my precious Jesus.

How shall I respond in the mist of doubt, when I feel unworthy, and when I struggle to accept His love? I shall respond by enjoying what He enjoys. I shall respond by loving others. I shall respond by allowing myself to enter into sonship. I shall respond by continuing to seek His will for my life.

To those of you that can somehow relate, know that it is okay to doubt. God will meet you where you are at. Yet, I warn you though- seek out the answers and avoid lingering with your doubt.

God Bless,
~Sherry~