by Victoria Heinecke

It sometimes sounded silly, but believe anyway.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Thomas recently found a special place in my heart.

When Covid impacted the world in 2020, I wrote a devotion about turning the church inside out. I was excited for the possibility that, as more churches used the Internet to reach people who could not worship in community, there might be a revival in God’s church.

Instead, what seems to have happened is a game of musical chairs. Separated from their communities, many left the church, and when God called them back, they sometimes found belonging in a new community. However, many are still lost.

I was almost among the latter.  The Pandemic wore on for a year, then another and another, and I found it increasingly difficult to sense God’s presence in my life. I knew he was there, but there was a silence, a darkness that I could not ignore.

“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:5-6 NRSV

The spiritual struggles made it difficult to pour my heart into writing devotions, and a year ago, I asked for time off.  There was hurt, and I knew I needed to heal, but I didn’t know where to go.

I suppose other Christians as well have gone through a time when their faith was tested. It’s not something candidly discussed, for fear of being regarded as having a weak or shallow faith. When our brothers and sisters struggle, it’s time for the community to support, encourage, and pray for them. It requires patience, because there’s no quick remedy that will fix it, and we must wait on God’s perfect timing.

“Thomas answered (Jesus), “My Lord and my God!””
John 20:28 NRSV

If you are feeling like Thomas, know that many are praying for you. Keep seeking God, and he will draw you to him and send the help you need.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado