The Opposite of Faith

John the Baptist speaking of Jesus:

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” – Matt. 3:11, 12

These words of John the Baptist help me to understand why he was experiencing so much doubt about Jesus.  The Messiah John was expecting would be the final judge, helping to finally set everything completely right and make everything completely clear.  And he would do it soon.  John was feeling urgency and the need for clarity, for strong, clear lines.  And so often I resonate with those desires.  God, fix it now!  Make it clear now – I’m tired of trying to figure it all out, of living in the messy middle of my story.

Spend a few minutes talking with Jesus about this quote from author Anne Lamott: “The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty.  Certainty is missing the point entirely.  Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting it be there until some light returns.”  What can you let yourself notice today in the safety of Jesus’ presence?