There are numerous times within my faith journey that I have wrestled with what it means to be a Christ follower. And with each wrestling, I go back to reading the Gospels and ask myself, "Am I convinced that the Gospel stories true?"

If we are called to disciple others, this is an important question to reflect on. It is not from a place of condemnation, but an honest awareness of where our personal faith journey is at. Are these stories historical or figurative?

Did Jesus heal the blind man?
Did Jesus cure the leper?
Did Jesus heal the paralytic?
Did Jesus raise Lazarus and Jairus' daughter from the dead?
Did Jesus turn water into wine?
Did Jesus walk on water?
Did Jesus multiply food?
Did Jesus curse the fig tree?

I, personally, take these stories as historical truth. This doesn't leave me without questions. I do have questions. A lot of questions. It leaves me with curiosity and a strengthening of faith to go deeper.

For vulnerability, the story I struggle with the most is water into wine. The molecule structure change from water to wine is bizarre to me. I have even researched the different compounds involved to see what the switch could potentially look like at an atomic level. Has it helped my disbelief? In a way, yes. I am more amazed that this happened on such a detailed level. I believe the Lord loves our questions.

How to sit with the wrestling

  1. Pick one miracle story to read through
  2. Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight how the story reflects the character of God
  3. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how the story shows the Kingdom of God is at hand?
  4. Invite the Holy Spirit to highlight if there are areas of disbelief when reading the story
  5. Are there deeper questions I have that I need to reflect and pray on?
  6. Is there disbelief I can repent and let go of now?