Just a Minute Devotional #24
When in doubt
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27, NIV)
The 1993 movie Mrs. Doubtfire, starring the late Robin Williams, is rather sad, even though it is classified as a comedy. This unreliable father’s antics land him in a bitter divorce where he loses custody of his children.
He dresses as an elderly English woman, disguising himself as a nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire. It is sad because he wants to be with his children.
Love is his motivator.
As a nanny, he becomes controlled, disciplined, and dependable, all he lacks in himself. He ends up getting a job using the character of Mrs. Doubtfire to help his children and many children all over the country through a television show.
Do we sometimes feel doubt in our Christian walk? When things seem out of control, we may mistrust God’s presence. Doubt robs us of our peace and confuses us because it is an inward-looking of self instead of an outward-looking of God.
As we sit on the unsteady chair of doubt, we are constantly aware of its instability. We shift ourselves back and forth, never fully committing our total weight. As a result, we are miserable. If our chair breaks and we fall, we are forced to look up from the solid ground of the floor.
Our trust is no longer in the chair but in Christ.
Our doubt will be consumed in His loving flames as all that does not resemble Him is burned away. At this lowest point, we thrust our fingers into the wounded side of Jesus.
Like Thomas, we proclaim, “My Lord and my God!”
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Consume my doubt with your purifying flames of love. Amen.
