Thomas had followed and Loved Jesus with the best of them. He had witnessed the miracles, been part of the dessert buffets for thousands, and watched Jesus walk on water then calm a storm. But after Jesus was crucified and buried, Thomas lost his best friend and gave up hope. His head hung low, remembering all the times with Jesus, believing he would never see him again. Then he heard reports that other disciples had seen that Jesus had risen to life, and he bemoaned missing the moment. While the others reveled in the reality of a risen Jesus, Thomas hung his head and said that he would not believe it until He got the chance to touch and see his savior.Several days later, while the disciples are praying together, Jesus walks through the wall, over to Thomas, and directs him to touch His side and hands. Jesus lifts Thomas’ head and his spirit all at once. Thomas exclaimed “My God”! Thomas never doubted again, and I’m sure he told the story of how he poked the savior of the world in the side many times after that day.
Have you missed your miracle? Seen others dancing in the streets while you suffer in the silence? Just ask God for a drive by miracle, something you can see, touch, feel. Pour out your doubts, fears, anxiety, He can handle it. Then step away from that wall, because something blessed this way comes!
Mary was 15 when the angel told her the news about Jesus coming to the world through her. Imagine the confusion, fear, and anxiety that must have generated. Now she would be judged by all the men of the town, possibly stoned to death as was the custom then. Imagine her mindset when she told her fiancé, Joseph, that God had put His son in her womb. I imagine she must have had some head hanging moments often, until the visit.
Mary was told by the angel that her cousin Elizabeth was pregnant with the man who would herald the coming of Jesus. Mary went to visit Elizabeth, and Elizabeth spoke the words Mary needed to hear. She encouraged Mary, reminded her of the great miracle of God she was experiencing, and Mary respond by lifting her head in praise with a beautiful prayer of praise and submission. What changed? Her eternal perspective. She was reminded that nothing happens without God, and she could hold her head high even with the pending judgments coming when she returned. Mary stayed there three months, just long enough to begin to show. Then she went home.
This is when the second visit happened. Everybody was shocked to see this young virgin returning from her long visit impregnated. Joseph had seen her leave a virgin, and now return with child. He knew he had to act, or be punished as well. He made up his mind to divorce himself from the engagement, until an angel came to him in a dream and explained the plan of God. Joseph awoke with renewed love for Mary, and renewed faith in God. They held their heads high in the midst of what must have been extremely vicious judgment and harassment.
Have you been judged mercilessly? Looked down upon because of a bad decision or weak moment? Maybe you were behaving righteous, and someone less righteous dragged you into a storm of sin and angry attacks. How can you hold you head high when people are looking to lop it off from your shoulders? Get an eternal perspective. Get quiet somewhere with God, and seek understanding from the King of clarity. Bring a notebook, and write down what you learn. Seek others who have been qualified to help by going through the same punishing times as you. Ask them for eternal clarity, and ask them to journey with you. They will keep you head up and help you walk through the moment with hope, vision, and strength. Jesus adds this promise; “In this world you will have hard times, but be of good cheer, I have over come the world!” The overcomer is your overcomer, and He will lift you up in due time!
