Living Doubt-free

Have you ever felt you were following the wrong advice, believing in the wrong thing?

And he said, 'Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, "I am he!" and, "The time is near!" Do not go after them. - Luke 21:8

In today's Gospel, Jesus introduces doubt into the faith equation, and it is a bit uncomfortable.

Not only does he scare the disciples with talk of the destruction of the Temple and coming wars and plagues, but he warns them that others will come saying they represent Jesus and they will be liars.

Come on!

Do they really need to know this?  I don't know about you, but if someone tells me I am headed into the abyss and no one can be trusted to help me, I may opt out, fast.

In all fairness, though, they asked him and he told them the truth, as bad as that was.

But perhaps there is a positive message in what he tells them, something that is more than a warning.

People will say the end is near and they will not be the ones we should follow.  So, the positive message is that there may be more time than we think, and those who seek control over us will be the ones telling us otherwise.

So, instead of living in fear and having doubts, not knowing who is telling the truth, we should stay the course, believe and not lose faith.

We will see destruction, and some will say that is a sign, but we should not go blindly to them.

It is up to us to maintain our faith, to be true to God and not lose heart.  When the time comes that He returns, we will be ready, if we are still here.  So, go, he is telling us, and live in faith.

We can do that if we refuse to doubt.  That is not easy at times, I know, but if we choose to be determined to live doubt-free, we will not be led astray by those who seek control over us.

More to come...