I remember being in High School and we would go off on a youth group trip and get all excited about Jesus. We would ski all day in the Swiss Alps (jealous?) and then at night was the big show. A dynamic Young Life leader would stand in front of us and systematically, and often with great humour present to us the gospel. We would laugh and cry and hug and sing the silly "One Tin Soldier" song that for some reason we all sang back then. It was a Spiritual high. After Club we would go back to our rooms to meet in a small group for cabin time. It was an opportunity to discuss the gospel, wrestle with it a little and pray to God that teens would meet with Him and want Him.
I became a youth minister and then went on staff with Club Beyond (Young Life for military teens) in Germany. I sat through many cabin times and have talked with many teens about the gospel. I went on mission trips and witnessed youth get all fired up for Jesus and then return home. Some how between the bus steps and their first day back to school, back to reality, they had forgotten the taste of Jesus. I did see many youth follow Jesus through the years, and I have seen others who were enticed by the world around them. Why is it that when the trial comes, we forget our God?
I was reading in the gospel of John the other day and noticed something about the Baptizer. When he first saw Jesus he proclaimed him to be the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1: 29). He saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus in the miracle of Jesus' baptism. John confessed Jesus to be the Son of God (Jn. 1:34). So why is it that not long after this great confession and supernatural moment with Jesus did John have doubts? In Matthew 11:2 we see John sends his friends to Jesus to ask if he is really the Messiah or should they keep looking. John's circumstances changed drastically, he was in jail and would soon lose his head to Herod's axe. In the midst of the trial John began to question. Was it all real? Is Jesus the one? I love the response Jesus gave to John's disciples. He said
“Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5 the
blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead
are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 6 And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.[b]
When doubts begin to sink into your mind and all the things you thought you once knew about Jesus seem to come to question, take your question to Jesus. He can handle your wayward heart in even the most difficult circumstances. Jesus met John with love and grace. He was not angry or disappointed in John because of the questioning. Jesus reminded John of what He was doing. He encouraged John that the blind had sight, the lame man is walking. When you begin to lose hope, ask Jesus to show you what He is doing. Ask Him to remind you of His hand.
Today a friend of mine, Karen Burke had a divine encounter with a homeless woman she has been trying to reach with the gospel. She just so happened to come upon Panera Bread at the exact moment this young woman was walking by. My friend just so happened to have a blanket, pillow, and extra clothes in the car for this same woman. Imagine the love of God to position Karen in the right spot in our city to bless a woman whom He dearly loves and desperately needs Him. Are you wondering, is Jesus real? Is the Jesus I ran into as a youth still working miracles today? Ask Him to show you. Jesus is moving. He will meet you in the midst of your faith crisis. Invite him to show you Himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment