Infusion
“I do believe, help my unbelief!”
As lent quickly approaches, I find myself reflecting more and more on the foundational stories of our faith. But since I’ve heard these stories so many times, their drama has waned, and the explosiveness of their impact has dulled. I find myself thinking: “Yes, Jesus died and then He rose from the dead. Sure, He died to save me and to nullify all my sins. And?” As if I need a new revelation. *insert eye-roll*
Sisters, I don’t need a new revelation; I need an infusion of faith. I don’t need the next new flashy thing; I need to get reacquainted with the Gospel - to dig deeper, to push further, to press into the truth I already know. To discover God’s heart in a new way through an old story.
Old stories carry weight.
Like old friends, old stories carry weight. You’ve heard the words over and over, but have you studied them? Have you applied them to your life today? Have you really sunk into their familiarity and allowed them to facilitate a deeper encounter with the Father?
Today’s Gospel is one of those stories for me. I can shrug it off, or I can own that lately, I’ve been acting like the boy’s father in this story. The poor man doubts Jesus, “If you can do anything…” Of course, He can do something - He’s JESUS. But sisters, I’ve fallen prey to the same thing - doubting that God can make something of nothing. But He can, and He does. So, I’m crying out again, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
Father,
Thank You for giving us the gift of old stories. Thank You for teaching us how to learn something new from You each time we go to prayer, each time we open the scriptures.
God, give us a new infusion of faith. Help us to be humble before You and ignite the joy of learning about You within us. Teach us how to encounter You in each story You offer us. Show us how to see You in a new way, in a deeper way, every time we read about You. Remind us who You are again.
God, we love You. We believe; help our unbelief. Amen.