Do you ever have doubts on your faith journey? You know, those moments when mentally you affirm the power, presence, and mystery of the Holy One, yet an overriding sense of dread fills you? Or sometimes life may be so overwhelming or underwhelming as we drift through daily routines that we feel stuck and settle into a nominal or lukewarm faith.
Human life can be a joyous journey and a difficult dream all at the same time. I wonder, have we made life difficult with our expectations and cultural norms? Perhaps the multitasking mind which tends to several screen devices at one time, and the consistent bad news that flows across those screens give pause and doubt of God’s greatest plan for humanity? It is easy to become discouraged with raging inflation, devise rhetoric, and broken trusts within community and personal relationships. In today’s Scripture we hear how Jesus speaks an encouraging word when expectations of faith waivers.
The Scripture
Matthew 11 relays the second story through which the author includes John the Baptizer. From his prison cell John sends word through his disciples to Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Verse 3) Up until now, John spoke out so boldly against the powers of his day and he had a clear expectation of the coming Messiah. He knew is the depths of his heart when Jesus came to the Jordan and was baptized by him, that Jesus was the Messiah. But John was steeped in cultural expectation. Could One who transforms relationships, culture, and life through compassion, love, and mercy rather than military might really be the Messiah?
Jesus sent John an encouraging Word. Not only does Jesus clarify the nature of his ministry and that of his disciples, but Jesus clarifies John’s identity. Jesus encourages every believer, especially John by saying “And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” (Verse 6) Why offense? When Jesus does not meet our expectation, hopes, or dreams in the ways we expect we could become offended and give up on God. Jesus knows that we may be challenged or have doubts from time to time in our faith journey, just as John did. However, he encourages us not to lose heart.
Today’s Prayer Practice
This week we add to our advent journey of simplifying life, the spiritual discipline of encouragement. (See last week’s blog for simplifying life as we Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord.) The spiritual discipline of encouragement comes to us, through us, and arises within us.
Jesus’ words of encouragement to John the Baptizer came to him through his disciples as they retold Jesus’ response to his question. I can only image how Jesus’ encouragement gifted John within through the stability of heart needed to endure the third Matthean story of his beheading.
Today you have opportunity for the threefold practice of encouragement.
- Ask God to open your ears, your heart, and your eyes so that you may be able to hear the words of encouragement that come to you through others this week.
- Ask God to open your ears, your heart, and your eyes so that you may experience God’s words of direct encouragement. This may come through prayer, Scripture reading, listening to the stories of others, or even from your favorite holiday movies.
- Claim the assurance of Jesus’s encouraging word each day as you intentionally choose to become and encourager of others. Speak at least one word of encouragement to another each day this week as you prepare the way for Jesus’ coming at Christmas.
Enjoy Praying.
