Don’t Turn Away the Doubters

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Matthew 5:7

Have you ever listened to a lesson at school and thought, “I don’t have a clue what the teacher is talking about.”

Or maybe you’ve been in the middle of a conversation with a new friend and lost track of what they were saying because you got lost on a word you didn’t understand.

Was there ever a time when you went into a store to ask for directions, only to regret not writing them down when you couldn’t remember if you were to turn left or right by the camouflaged school bus with the oak tree growing out of the top?

At some point we’ve all been or will be in a situation like this—a situation where we are confused, conflicted, or confounded. We need to ask a question, to seek clarity, to better understand, but we hold back, concerned we will be met with indifference or dismissal.

Unfortunately, that happens a lot when we talk about spiritual things. Those of us who have followed Jesus for a long time tend to forget most people don’t have a working knowledge of the Bible and don’t understand the terms we throw around with ease. Many of the lost people with whom we interact have serious questions about spiritual things, but dare not ask for fear they’ll be shut down or shut out for daring to doubt or trying to discover.

We need to remember that part of being merciful in the way of Christ is recognizing that God wants us to help those with no faith come to a knowledge of the truth. If we are going to do that, we have to make room for difficult questions and the people who ask them. It’s why Jude commands, “Have mercy on those who doubt.” 

Father, open my heart to the lost around me. Help me meet them where they are in their spiritual journey with genuine care.