Chuck McCament I love to open the windows in the morning and hear the birds singing! It’s occurred to me that only smaller birds sing! Crows, vultures, turkeys — forget it! But the little ones sing beautifully! Here in the Pacific Northwest (i.e. Brookings, Oregon) we have the lark, junco, chickadee, finch, towhee, etc. I especially love to hear doves — so peaceful.
Aren’t you glad our walk with the Lord, as believers in Jesus, is not one of legalism and punishment? To be sure, we are to present ourselves completely to the Lord, willing to do His bidding — but when we fall short we are not punished; instead, we are disciplined, corrected, admonished to forsake our sin. Once we do that, we simply continue our daily walk with Jesus.
The solution to Thomas’ feelings of depression, hurt, and abandonment — and to us when we feel like that — is simply this: Surety comes most often in the fellowship of others! Thomas missed out the first time Jesus appeared because he wasn’t there to see Him!
The key to a “safe arrival” is being in the right boat, the one Jesus commands. Have you ever asked Him to be the Captain of your life? Maybe you have — but you’ve “jumped ship” out of fear or rebellion. He invites you this very minute to let Him once again steer your course.
Nobody has all the answers because nobody knows the mind and will of God completely. But, the Lord does give us teaching on the subject, enough that we can confidently approach Him for healing and then leave the results in the hands and will of a loving and wise heavenly Father.