Life-spark: Be honest with God about your unbelief. (John 2:23-25)
My parents took me water skiing for the first time when I was eight. I received some basic instructions, but no one told me to let go of the rope if I fell, so when I fell, I held on and became a human torpedo until the boat finally stopped.
Ten years later, I found myself holding on for dear life again. This time, I was holding on spiritually. I was a new Christian and I was holding on to God’s word. At times I found myself wondering if the Bible was real and even if God was real. Lacking faith, I considered letting go of my rope of new hope.
In one time of doubt, I remember sitting in my bedroom and saying, “Dear God, I’m full of doubt and disbelief. I pretty much feel like you don’t exist, but I wish you did. If you are there and you do hear me, I want to go on record with you. I present my life to you one hundred percent, and I only ask one thing of you. Just let me know you are real.”
For the next six months I wavered between belief and unbelief. As I continued to read the Bible and hold onto God’s word, God revealed to me signs His existence and His life. My faith slowly grew stronger. Like a new skier who experiences the exhilaration of staying up, like others before me, I surfaced and experienced His aliveness.
Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. (John 20:23-25, NIV) Like those people in Jerusalem at the feast, I had very little faith. The Lord knew that. He knew me from the inside out.
I’m so glad I resolved to hand on. Over the last forty-five years ago, I’ve had some down times, but my faith has grown stronger month by month and year by year.
I have a long way to go. I often find myself saying to Christ what a man in the Bible said, “I believe, please help my unbelief.” He does. I’ve found that God is quick to respond sincere pleas for stronger faith.
Life-question: Think of one area in your life where you can say to the Lord,
“Please help my unbelief.” Do it. He loves that prayer and He will answer.