Bathed in my beauty

“And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said.”   “Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder.” Luke 24:36, 41

Doubt:

To feel uncertain about

To question the truth

ORIGIN: from Latin dubitare “hesitate”

My Abba,

Thank you for the encouragement I find in these verses. The people described here had the opportunity to see Christ in his resurrected body – face to face. And as they were standing there looking at him, they doubted.

Here is the part that encourages me. Even in that doubt, they were filled with joy and wonder. Doubt and joy and wonder hand in hand! I don’t feel so odd now.

This is an apt description of my journey. I still sometimes wrestle with doubt even after all these years of you “appearing” to me in extraordinary ways. Please forgive me.

About what do I feel uncertain? What truth do I question? I know you are God. I am certain you created all good things. I embrace the truth that you are perfectly loving, gracious, just, faithful, merciful, good, powerful, and kind. I accept Christ as the exact representation of you. I believe that through his life, death and resurrection he made it possible for me to be with you forever.

For me, I think the questions creep in when you have allowed, or not allowed, something to happen I don’t understand. I feel uncertain about what you are doing.

For the people described in this passage, I am sure the devastating loss and startling reappearance of Christ brought up a lot of uncertainty, hesitation and questions. These tumultuous circumstances probably strained their understanding of your intentions.  

If they were anything like me, they probably questioned outcomes they could not shape according to human understanding and squeeze into their pre-built “logical” boxes.

I long to reach a place where I don’t ever entertain the subtle, hushed tones of doubt. But until then, I will still stand in joy and wonder as I look at you, even while doubt attempts, like a fidgety child, to gain my attention.

I know it will not prevail. You will always win the battle for my heart and mind because I belong to you. That resilient truth makes me smile.

I stand in awe of you, even in those times when I haven’t a clue what you are up to.

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

Our enemy will always attempt to woo you into the inversion of reality. He will tell you what is real is illusion and what is illusion is real.

He will always sow seeds of doubt. Continue to look to me. I will show you truth. Then doubt will not take root.

As you continue your journey with me, the dark voices will weaken and the enemy’s attempts to distract you from truth will become increasingly impotent.

My heart song will drown out the pitiful drone of lies. Focus on my melody. Give yourself to my music, and the discord of the accuser will distract you less and less. Bathed in my beauty, your heart will be too enamored with me to give your attention to the distorted rumbling around you.

I love you,

Abba

Photo: phummee

NLT