What Are We Doing Here? HOPING

A few weeks back my family and I went to the beach. The scenery was great, but the weather didn't really cooperate. Even after the rain broke, the wind was so strong that you could literally lean into it and be supported. Isn't that the same thing many of us are trying to do with God?

We're leaning in- and HOPING that God will be there to meet us. We're doing our part by actively re-imagining and experimenting with the ways and people of Jesus. Now we're hoping that God will do His part and show up. For what it is worth, we aren't just hoping in the dark. Jesus has a pretty good track record of showing up. Take Easter for example.

WHEN WE'RE NOT EXPECTING HIM
The first person to see the Jesus alive on Easter morning was a lady named Mary. She showed up at His tomb early. She expected to find a corpse. The missing body rocks her world- not with hope, but fear. Mary talks with angels and it doesn't even register. She meets Jesus and thinks He is the hired help. Although Mary should have expected to see Jesus alive again, she didn't. And Jesus showed up anyway. Don't you just love that? If so, hold on- it gets better.

WHEN WE HAVE DOUBTS
After Jesus appears to Mary, He shows up to His disciples- the inner circle of followers. They are thrilled to see Him alive. Well not all of them are. Thomas had run to the corner store when Jesus dropped by, so he missed the show. Thomas' friends are trying to let him catch a bit of their hope buzz, but Thomas isn't having it. This is where we usually talk about Thomas in and with derogatory terms and tones. But maybe we shouldn't. After all Thomas only asks for what everyone else had been given. He isn't content to live vicariously through others' encounters with Jesus. He wants his own. Sound like the kind of spirit the church needs more of. And the best part? Thomas' questions and doubts don't keep Jesus away. And neither do ours. Jesus shows up because He wants Thomas- and us- to know Him.

WHEN WE DON'T DESERVE IT
Ever had a rough patch in a relationship? The kind of stretch where you were always saying and doing precisely the wrong thing? If so, then you've walked in Peter's shoes a bit. Peter was one of Jesus' closest friends, but during the last day of Jesus' life Peter made one mistake after another. (John 13:5-11, 36-38; Matthew 26:36-41; John 18:10-11, 25-27) Jesus died before Peter ever had a chance to aplogize. I'm imagining that Peter beat himself up quite a bit over failing his friend. Now that Jesus is alive again, maybe Peter is even thinking that things will never be the same between them again. Surely he didn't deserve a second chance after deserting Jesus in His most difficult moments. Maybe Peter didn't deserve love, acceptance and restoration- but Jesus gave it to him anyway. Kind of gives underserving people like us hope, huh?

REFLECT
Q: Have you ever seen God show up in your life? What happened? Why
did you think it was God?

Q: Are there any special hoops you think you have to jump through for
God to be real in your life? (Ex. If God is going to show up for me,
then I have to _________)

Q: Which of the people in John 20 & 21 do you relate the most with and why?

Q: What are you hoping to see God do in your life? Your family and
friends? Your church? This city? The world? (Be as specific as you
can. Use your answers to craft a prayer to God.)