Dealing with Doubts

Many years ago, when my wife and I were dating, we drove down to her family on Christmas Day.

Because she knew the way, my wife-to-be insisted on driving her car for the trip.  All seemed fine until we reached the half-way point of our four-hour drive.  The heater wasn't producing any heat.  When we pulled over at the gas station, we quickly learned why.  Green anti-freeze was leaking out of the radiator. 

Now mind you, it's Christmas Day.  This gas station was likely to be the only business open for the duration of the trip. We're exactly two-hours from my family and two hours from hers.  Our chances didn't look great.

With very few options, we made a decision.  We bought two containers of pre-mixed anti-freeze.  We poured one into the car and put the other in the back seat for reserve.  Then, as quickly as we could, we pointed the car towards our original destination, hoping we had two hours worth of anti-freeze before it all leaked out.

I had serious doubts we would make it all the way.

Doubts are a part of life.  We often try to cover-up our doubts and reservations, but if we're honest with ourselves, we recognize that we have many doubts.

We don't talk about it very much, but we even have the occasional doubts about our faith.  Instead of allowing others in or even going to God, we sometimes try to bury it and or just ignore it.

In the Gospel of Luke, we see the account of two disciples on their way to Emmaus.  While journeying, they openly engage a "stranger" about the death of Jesus.  In their conversation, we notice their doubts.  Jesus, they're leader, was dead.  He didn't usher in the kingdom of God.  He didn't save himself from the cross.  Now, three days later, they even doubted the resurrection stories they had heard.

To their surprise, Jesus was the "stranger" on the road.  He revealed the truth about scripture, met them in their doubt, then opened their eyes to his presence.  When he was finished, all doubt had been erased.

When I hear that story, I'm reminded that Jesus wants to meet us in our doubt.  He doesn't want us to hide it or bury it, but to share it with him so he can speak about it.  When we doubt, it's an opportunity for God to show up, talk with us and open our eyes to truth.

That Christmas, we made it all the way to our destination (though we had a little help).  My doubts proved wrong.

I hope you'll give your doubts to a loving God who wants nothing more than to talk with you and deal with your doubt.