Like every Christian on the planet this time of year, my scripture reading of the crucifixion and resurrection has been in full flow during this Easter season.

I’ve been thinking about Thomas over the past few days after re-reading the passage in John and scanning words before that I’ve never really stopped to think about.

Jesus appears to his disciples. It’s an epic moment.

Thomas isn’t there.

8 days later he appears to Thomas.

8 days!!!!!

8 days of listening to your mates talk about something they’ve witnessed and you haven’t.

8 days of wondering why he hasn’t appeared to you.

8 long days.

I feel sorry for Thomas and can identify with what may have been going on in his head. He really wasn’t in the right place at the right time.  He missed it.  We’ve all been there, missed out on something and left waiting and wondering if there’s another opportunity.

But waiting while others are winning is the hardest.  I’m going to guess the chat with the other disciples was faith fuelled and high energy.  That’s tough to be around when you can’t participate because you missed out.  When something you want seems gone and your entire tribe, it seems, are loving life whilst you simply wonder what’s going on – that’s awkward.

I just really wanted to encourage someone today with some home truths from this story.

Even though Thomas missed out on that moment – Jesus gives him his moment.  He sees Him 8 days later and is back in the game so to speak.  What he struggled to believe and participate in was now his reality too.  My Jesus is inclusive. He’s an “all in” guy and wants no one left behind.

The waiting….

Regardless of how long the wait was, should it be 8 days like Thomas,  or even if it’s in yearly figures – I love the fact that Jesus did reveal His risen self to this doubting disciple. The unseen became visible eventually and that does my heart good.

I realise that faith at times seems like a leap into darkness, a step into the unknown and an attempt to make the invisible qualities of Gods kingdom a physical reality. It does sound weird – you might not see it with your eyes, but if you believe it in your heart…..  it’s childlike but certainly not childish.

Faith is learning to see with different eyes. God’s eyes.

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

Hebrew 11:1 AMP

Jesus said that those who believed without seeing would be truly blessed.   So if you aren’t seeing yet – if the gap between what God says and what you are seeing seems massive – choose to believe that a bigger gap means a bigger opportunity for God to work it out.  He is always true to His word.

I’ve been challenged with this 8 day thought.  When others get it before I do… do I celebrate?  Do I huff?  Do I ask why them and not me too much?  Do I fully trust the process of my journey?

I don’t actually have a final answer to any of those questions at all – the process is still in process.   But here’s to trusting Him in the middle of it all.

He is working in the waiting – thankfully!!

Be encouraged – He turns up in His perfect timing and the wait “they” say is totally worth it.

x