Reach Out

~ Lisa Brittain

Today I am participating in the Five Minute Friday with Kate Motaung and her crew of brilliant writers. The word this Friday is {reach}.

Setting my timer for 5 minutes… and go!

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Photo credit: Lisa Brittain

Thomas had great difficulty believing that Jesus was alive and had visited with the other disciples.

Could life truly be resurrected from death?

“So the other disciples told him,
“We have seen the Lord!”
But he (Thomas) said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.””
‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭25‬

We all grieve differently. Thomas no doubt had followed Jesus and experienced most of the same situations as all the other disciples. However, Thomas had his own personality & his own life experiences through which he filtered his experience with Jesus. His faith was sight.

The relevant truth for me, and I hope for you, is that Thomas didn’t get left out because he had difficulty believing Jesus was alive. I have to remind myself that the other 10 disciples believed Jesus was alive because they too had seen Him with their own eyes.

It’s true that 10 eye witnesses were not enough proof for Thomas. However, we don’t know why.

Perhaps Thomas’ heart was just so grieved, broken and disappointed. Perhaps he was feeling betrayed by Jesus and didn’t want to feel like a fool for continuing to believe.

“A week later His (Jesus) disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
“Peace be with you!”
Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.””
‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A week went by and then Thomas was no longer overwhelmed with doubt. His heart opened to not only the possibility, but the reality that Jesus was alive again. Perhaps Thomas no longer felt abandoned. Maybe all his disappointment dissipated as He heard the Word of God speak directly to him.

Whatever manifested between Jesus and Thomas the result was belief.

Faith bloomed.

Thomas surrendered.

“Thomas said to Him,
“My Lord and my God!””
‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus certainly invited Thomas to reach out and touch Him in order that Thomas might believe. Isn’t it miraculous and humbling to recognize the King of all kings would have such a detailed concern for Thomas that Jesus would do whatever it took to help Thomas have faith.

Jesus invites us to reach for Him, but the absolute truth is that He’s already been reaching for us.

Eyes on Jesus and Shine,

~Lisa

Published by Lisa Brittain

I am an avid follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received dramatic healing in my body and mind. After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I was challenged to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by fearful actions. I received the challenge presented by both of my sons. They love me and so they dared to confront me with the truth. Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then {more than a decade ago} to overcome fear with faith that was more than words. In my late 40's I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. I am a tentmaker {actually a reupholsterer} by day, which helps to support the call God has on my life to serve Him in my community. I thoroughly enjoy my work. Repairing and restoring throw-away furniture is a fulfilling creative outlet. More so, my Cheer House Repair and Restore business opens the door for me to interact with my community. My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall so in love with Jesus through His word and conversation; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love! I have been married to my dear man for over 30 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have two - grown young men on their own journeys. Additionally, we share our home with 3 lively rescue pups. I look forward to having you join me on this journey of faith... Bold feet, humble heart Psalm 131 ~ Lisa

7 thoughts on “Reach Out”

  3. I am just a simple dude,
    my heart is from Missouri,
    and if things are to be proved,
    you’ve really gotta show me,
    let me see it with my eyes,
    put my hand

    1. Stupid phone!!!!

      I am just a simple dude,
      my heart is from Missouri,
      and if things are to be proved,
      you’ve really gotta show me,
      let me see it with my eyes,
      put my hand into the cut,
      ’cause I’ve been fed too many lies,
      and seeing’s how I screw the nut.
      I will take the reprimand
      that I should have a lot more faith,
      and that I should understand
      that You mean just what You sayeth,
      but this day in the here and now,
      I gotta see to guide my plow.

  4. That little story about Thomas gives me hope that even when we are struggling, Jesus knows what we need in order to take the next step of faith. Visiting from FMF#15

  5. Awww sweet reminder today. Knowing b4 we reach for Him, He’s reaching for us. Yes indeed.

    Ruth

    With joy and peace in believing…

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