Brave Enough to Seek

 


The Courage to Step Outside

When we think of Thomas, we often hear the nickname: Doubting Thomas. But maybe we’ve been telling his story wrong. When the Risen Christ first appeared to the disciples, Thomas wasn’t hiding behind locked doors. He was out in the world.
While the others stayed shut away in fear, Thomas was moving through the unknown — heartbroken, confused, grieving — but still walking.

That takes a kind of bravery we don’t always recognize.
It’s the courage to keep living even when you don’t have all the answers.
It’s the courage to keep seeking even when hope feels thin.
It’s the courage to risk disappointment because something inside you still believes there might be more.

Honest About His Need

When the others told Thomas that they had seen the Lord, he didn’t pretend. He didn’t say, "Sure, I believe you," just to fit in. He spoke the truth of his heart:
"Unless I see… unless I touch… I cannot believe." It wasn’t stubbornness.
It was hunger. Thomas wanted more than a secondhand story. He wanted to meet Jesus personally. He wanted a real encounter. And isn’t that what so many of us want, too? Not just stories handed down — but an experience of od that speaks into the core of our own lives.

The Christ Who Comes Close

Eight days later, Jesus appeared again. This time, Thomas was there. And what does Jesus do? He doesn’t rebuke him. He doesn’t shame him for needing more.
He invites him closer: "Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:27)

Jesus meets Thomas exactly where he is — fear, questions, wounds and all. He doesn’t demand blind faith. He offers His scars. Because real faith isn’t about pretending we have no questions. Real faith is about trusting the One who shows us His wounds — and who invites us to bring ours, too.

A Confession of Deep Love

Thomas responds with one of the most beautiful declarations in all of Scripture:
"My Lord and my God!"

In those few words, the whole journey — the grief, the hunger, the seeking — finds its home. Thomas isn't just believing in an idea. He is surrendering to a Person.
He names Jesus not just as the Lord, but his Lord. Not just as God, but his God.

It is personal.
It is relational.
It is born out of a heart that dared to seek — and was found.

For Every Seeker Today

If you’ve ever felt like Thomas — unsure, wounded, needing more — know this:
You are not faithless because you have questions. You are not weak because you are searching. You are brave. You are honest. And Jesus honors that honesty.

The Risen Christ still comes to locked rooms, broken hearts, searching souls. He still says, "Peace be with you." He still invites us to come closer. He still calls us to believe — not by ignoring our doubts, but by meeting Him in the midst of them. You do not have to have everything figured out to be loved. You do not have to fake a faith you don’t yet feel. You just have to be willing — like Thomas — to seek, to reach, to cry out, and to love when you find Him.

And maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself one day whispering too:
"My Lord and my God."

Prayer
Jesus, You honor the seeker.
You do not despise our questions or fears.
You meet us in locked places, in restless wanderings, in the longing of our hearts.
Breathe Your peace over our doubts.
Show us Your love through the wounds You bore.
Help us to seek You with honesty, and to love You with all that we are.
 My Lord and my God — I trust You.
Amen.

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