Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20:27-28
I found the 1993 movie called, “Mrs. Doubtfire,” starring the late Robin Williams, rather sad, even though it is classified as a comedy. It told the story of an unreliable, out of control father whose antics land him in a bitter divorce. He loses custody of his children and uses his creative side to dress as an elderly English woman to be a disguised nanny to his own children. It was sad because of the lengths he goes in order to be with his children. Love was his motivator.
Meanwhile, this metamorphosis also did something to his capriciousness. As a nanny, he became controlled, disciplined, and dependable, all the things he lacked as himself. He ends up getting a job using the character of Mrs. Doubtfire to help not only his own children, but many children all over the country though a television show. He eventually gains shared custody of his children.
The name “Doubtfire” makes me think of the doubt we feel at times in our Christian walk. When things seem unsteady to us and out of control, we sometimes mistrust God’s presence. This is where the “fire” comes in. God’s love is like an everlasting fire burning away anything that does not resemble Him. Doubt robs us of our peace and causes confusion because it is an inward looking of self, instead of an outward looking to God. God is not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
As we sit on the unsteady chair of doubt, we are constantly aware of its instability. We shift ourselves back and forth, never fully committing our full weight. As a result, we are miserable. The best that can happen to us is that our chair will break, and we will fall. But it’s there on the solid ground of the floor that we are forced to look up to Jesus Christ. Our focus is no longer on the chair. He never wanted us to put our trust in the chair to begin with.
On the solid ground, our lowest point, we have thrusted our fingers into the wounded side and hands of Jesus. It is there we say like Thomas, “My Lord and my God.” Our doubt will be consumed in the loving flames of Christ as we receive a metamorphosis of the spirit. He will make us doubtlessly fearless.
Dear Father, Consume my doubt with your purifying flames of love though Christ Jesus, Amen.
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