Set Free from Doubt: Go!
The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20)
This is an unusual week for my Living the Word reflection because it has arisen from this Sunday’s Gospel. So in a sense here is my personal Lectio Divina reflection for this week. My husband Jeff is preparing to retire this upcoming January. I have now been retired for four years! Given our relatively ‘young’ ages for retirement we would be considered part of the F.I.R.E. movement (Financial Independence Retire Early). This was a desire that we believe God planted in our hearts 29.5 years ago on New Year’s Day while watching football with some friends. One of our friend’s dad was at our little gathering and newly retired at the young age of 50 something. This stirred something in both Jeff and I to have conversations about our own future and our own desires regarding work. As I look back over these past 29 years I can see God’s providence in our lives time and time again financially. What does this have to do with this particular Gospel? Good Question! I love to read financial columns that address retirement. Many that I see are scenarios from financial guru’s like Suze Oreman and Dave Ramsay. If Jeff and I were to listen to the wisdom of these ‘experts’ we would never retire. I say that because I have yet to see an article where they tell someone, “Well done, good and faithful servant, now go and enjoy your harvest.” They are doomsdayers to say the least. They live in the valley of doubt and fear: doubt of the economy, doubt of health, fear of life expectancy. Jesus knows all about doubt and fear: two of the prisons that His cross is meant to free us from. Jesus appears resurrected to the disciples. The disciples response? They are awed and amazed and they praise God. And they doubt. Here is just one example of how I know the Holy Spirit inspires scripture. Why include that fact? Doesn’t it take away from the validity of the resurrection? Jesus and the Holy Spirit want to encourage us about doubt, it is a very human response. The cross and resurrection do not free us from doubt, they free us from the prison of doubt. The prison of doubt is our inability to move forward in mission, the inability to live today fully, to be consumed by the uncertainty of tomorrow, and the need to know every angle before taking action. Suze Oreman and Dave Ramsay can never tell someone it is ‘safe’ to retire because they are imprisoned in the cell of doubt and fear. Jesus, knowing that doubt lingered, still sent His disciples on mission, and then He left them in the care of the Holy Spirit. When I allow doubt and fear to creep into my day I remind myself of who my Financial Advisor is: God. Jeff and I can step into this next chapter of our lives not because of a number on a spreadsheet or financial algorithm (although those are helpful), but ultimately because we know Who placed this desire on our hearts 29 years ago. We will never be able to plan for every possible scenario, but we have a loving and provisional Father who does.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:25-27)
