Lost & Found
When I was younger, I had the hardest time keeping up with things. In my old high school, it would not surprise me if they named the ‘Lost & Found’ after me. Life came at me so fast then, and I would never seem to be organized enough to keep up with things. At my adult age, I will also at times struggle with it, but it is far less. The lessons of earlier years have taught me certain tricks to avoid that trap. For example, I always put my keys in the same spot. I make sure to have certain drawers for certain things and put my jerseys in a certain section of the closet. Ok, my wife did the last one, but if I pick one that I end up not wearing, I put it right back there. It helps me stay on track.
My relationship with God follows a similar pattern. I went to church at an early age, and then lost my way. However, I found Him again in my thirties. Before I go off the beaten path too far, I have certain practices to find my way back. Praying for guidance when I know I am off path. Reading scripture when I’m unsure of what to do in situations. Reaching out to my small group when I am taking on too much, and yes, even bending down in total submission when I am just overwhelmed with nowhere else to turn. These are those little steps that help me find my way back.
When it comes to a fruitful and productive journey of faith, all roads lead to our confidence in Christ. This conversation with the disciples is always of immense importance. Thomas (aka Doubting Thomas) is always in this state of unsurety. As I thought about it, we all have moments just like him when it comes to our faith. We are unsure of the path we have gone or have questions about God like, “Is He with me?” Or the taboo one, “Am I truly a believer or am I questioning if He exists.” It is important to remember that like Thomas, it is not that these questions do not exist in our minds. Instead, it is our faith based on what God has done for us that gives us surety. Jesus later said something that I overlooked in reading John 14. He said, “Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.” John 14:11 That last part is a great reminder to all of us. At some point in our lives, God simply showed up, and made a way where there was no way. Rather than continually questioning if God is there whenever we need something and are unsure, we should express confidence to know He is always there. Thus, we must recall the words of Paul in his letter to the Colossians when speaking of Christ’s redemptive power:
This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Faith in God is about knowing who He is and where He has been throughout our journey. Even in the times where we may not have gotten our way, experience has taught us that when the door stays closed, it means that it is either not our time or a more rewarding door is available. So, if you are lost today or feeling unsure of God’s presence in your life, remember the words of Moses to Joshua: “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) Where are your doubts about God today? How can His faithfulness in the past reassure you of His presence today and beyond? My prayer is that when lost, through Jesus Christ we can always be found. Amen.