Weary and Wandering?
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).
A few summers ago, I tore my calf muscle playing tennis. It made for a long three months where I had to find alternate ways to move around, but I missed the movement of exercise the most. In an effort to keep up with my routine, I purchased a tether for swimming and used my friend’s pool as my make-shift gym. I anchored the tether to a heavy piece of furniture and tied the harness to my “good” leg, taking off, going nowhere fast—errrr, slow actually. As the tether tightened and as I swam further from the anchor, tension increased and so did my heart rate. As I grew weary, I would feel myself being gently pulled backward, and the tether gave slack. Relief. Recovery.
How many of us right now are pulling away from the anchor to which we are tethered? Swimming nowhere fast, only to find ourselves exhausted—maybe even giving up. How desperate are we to feel the tether give slack so we can rest and draw near to our secure, steady, yet merciful anchor? I don’t know anyone who would argue against needing a “break” in one way or another today.
Friends, the world is tired. We are all weary. But God. He knows it’s hard for us, which is why He meets us right where we are. I am reminded of the story of Thomas (John 20), one of the disciples turned skeptic after the death and resurrection of Jesus. You see, the resurrected Jesus had returned to visit the disciples a week following His death. As you might imagine, they were in disbelief. Without them asking, He showed them “his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord” (verse 20). Thomas, however, was not there when Jesus appeared to the group. Even though his friends reported seeing the Lord, Thomas, in all of his doubt, said, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (verse 25). If I’m being honest, I feel you, Thomas. But–How do you think Jesus responded to this unbelief?
Nobody chastised Thomas. Nobody threw stones at him because he lacked faith in that moment. Nobody called him stupid or told him to shut up. Nobody became violent.
Rather, eight days later, the resurrected Jesus showed up again, immediately going to his boy, Thomas, saying, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe” (verse 26). That is your God, my friends.
He got it. He understood the need, even the doubt, and instead of condemning Thomas, He renewed him once again by showing up and providing what he needed just when he needed it. He met Thomas right where he was.
Immediately, Thomas acknowledged his Lord, and Jesus responded with words that will forever comfort me: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (verse 29, emphasis mine). Friend, you and I are the blessed. Don’t you see? He knows the great difficulty in believing in something you cannot see. And where others may cast stones, He casts mercy. Unending mercy.
Today, let the tension give way. Let yourself be pulled back to the anchor that is your Lord Jesus Christ, who, amidst all of the rubble, remains in control. Remember, my sweet sisters and brothers—this world is not supposed to meet your needs. If you feel lost, scared, less than, and beaten down—welcome to the party. We all do. And it’s because inside that little heart of yours is a Jesus-sized hole that only He can fill. Be brave enough today to share that news with someone else. God will bless it.
My Father, you are the foundation and base for which my soul longs. I try to put everything in Your place but nothing works. I’m tired. I need You. Please come into my life, rescue me, fill me, and renew my spirit so I can walk with You and lead others into Your loving arms. Amen.