Settling for a doubt... it is much easier.

Here at Bethesda it is the middle of VBS week. The church is buzzing with kids singing, playing, and learning about the Lord. I believe that when the church cares for its community and is reaching out into the community, we are planting seeds that time to grow. At the same time, we are also tending to the seeds that have been planted by others for the work of discipleship is one of partnering and patience. 

But when we are tasked with patience by the Lord, doubt can also creep in because we like to see the fruit of our labor come quickly and come in an overwhelming way that gives doubts no chance to grow. 

Today as I was reading I came across an interesting statement that I wanted to share that speaks to this point: 

"In fact, most Christians have settled down under their doubts, as to a sort of inevitable malady, from which they suffer acutely, but to which they must try to be resigned as a part of the necessary discipline of this earthly life; and they lament over their doubts as a man might lament over his rheumatism. . ." 

Reading on further it seems that Hannah Whitall Smith's point is that for many people in the Church have just come to accept that doubting is part of their faith. We work... we doubt. As we encounter our community we doubt that God is working and that God is with us in the work that we are doing. Perhaps our doubts might even lead us to wonder if we are forsaken or 'getting what we deserve.'

We work, we struggle, and we doubt. It is a vicious cycle that some in the church fall into.

But as I consider this quotation again, I wonder: maybe the Lord is asking us to look at our work, our community, and our faith practices from a different perspective? I wonder if we can put away the doubting and instead just live believe and continue to serve. . . 

God is not done with us yet. And will not leave us to struggle alone in this world.