Journey to the Cross 
Pause
“Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away… Look I’m making all things new.”
Revelation 21:3-5
God is making things new. God is renewing life through creation and renewing us through the resurrection of Jesus each and every day.
The question is not if renewal is happening around you, but how…
May we have eyes and hearts to see God’s presence moving in our lives.
Listen
After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”
Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”
John 20:26-29
Think
“Believe!” This is a rather simple command from Jesus, though I suspect that it is easier said than done. So often we find ourselves standing in a similar place as Thomas, asked to believe in something even when there is a lack of physical evidence to support the belief. Most aspects of our lives are predicated on what we can see and touch to navigate our world. Belief asks us to let go of that need to see and touch, to let go of a need for certainty, so that we might rest in the unknown mystery of God.
Thomas’ desire for proof is all too human as we all want to have assurance in what we are experiencing. We want affirmation that what we are doing in this life is good and according to God’s will.
Because Jesus did indeed conquer death, we are given an opportunity to shed our anxieties and fears, to offer them to God in order to find peace in the unknown mystery of God. When see with our hearts, then we can believe.
Rob Schoeck
Pray
God of my belief and my unbelief, continue to strengthen me as I walk this way of love. As I continue to seek you and your will for me, surround me with your love so that even in my unbelief when I feel most disconnected from you, I will know you are with me. Amen.
Go
God is working in your life to renew strength, renew hope, and renew life.
So today, choose to live into this Easter faith:
Let go of all that you are holding onto that does not give you life.
Live a life of faith rooted in love and joy, and not fear, so that you can be exactly who God made you to be.
And join God in the renewing of our world.
