"Incense" by amanda farah on flickr

Continuing with this "doubting Thomas" week, here is a short post by Michael Jinkins from this week's Christian Century blog that is a fitting addition our collection of posts on faithful doubting, blessed questioning, and loyal uncertainty.

He reflects, "One of the most surprising aspects of faith is that it never does become my possession."

And because we can never fully own or grasp our faith, since we cannot possess it and chain it down, then there is room for surprise and amazement. When we get too certain about God, or about anything, really, then we close the door to surprise and wonder...which sometimes we do on purpose, because being certain means that we won't be surprised, and if we aren't surprised, then we won't be asked to change or grow or reconsider.

But the Biblical witness shows us lots of people, Old Testament and New, who struggled and doubted and questioned...and who were subsequently blown away by what God could do. I mean, pick any one of the gospel accounts of the resurrection, and you'll find disciples who question and struggle and bumble around. Disciples who come to the tomb uncertain, and who leave the tomb surprised, and who live the next days in fear and doubt, and who see the risen Jesus and are again surprised.

So believe what you can, faithful friends. No more, no less. Let faith be that intriguing and wispy substance that slips through your fingers, drawing you to new spaces of wonder and beauty.