This might be one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It's so human. Jesus is so frustrated with the struggles humans have with faith. The father believes, and yet confesses to Jesus that he is filled with doubts. The boy is healed, and yet is seems for a moment that all hope is lost. At that very moment, at the point of despair, Jesus restores the boy to life. The disciples are then confused as to why they weren't the heroes of the story, when Jesus reminds them that true power is found in humble prayer.
Does that sound like anything you can relate to?
Do you ever struggle to have faith, despite your faith?
Do you ever think all hope is lost?
Do you ever get confused as to who the true hero of the story is?
Do you ever doubt the power of prayer?
We've all been there. Doubt is part of life. Fear is present in all of our lives. Hope doesn't always seem to be bearing down on us. Sometimes we wonder where Christ is.
The church should, I believe, always speak words of hope, grace, and peace into the midst of every situation. We are, at our best, ambassadors of another kingdom, reminding the world around us that true power is found in humility, that peace wins over violence, that light wins over darkness, that hope is never a foolish choice.
In chaotic times, it is my humble prayer that the church can speak a word of confidence into troubled hearts, that we can remind the world that there is a kingdom that cannot be shaken and a king who comes to us now, despite our troubles, despite our doubts, and will do whatever necessary to win our hearts.
We speak in grace and in peace, and yet we will not cower in the face of those who speak in fear, for we will stand with the confidence of a people who have read the end of the story and know that Christ comes on a white horse in victory. In 2 Kings, the King of Syria was threatening Elisha and it seemed as though his horses and chariots would win. Elisha's prayer was that his servants' eyes be opened to see the army of fire that surrounded Elisha.
May we see the reality of God in our midst and go out as the church to serve all people with grace and humility, in prayer for peace and in prayer for order and in prayer for all who need hope -- the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall not overcome it!
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