Have you ever had a hard time believing in something? Chances are we all have at one time or another. Life has a way of throwing things at us and there are times when it may be hard to believe that things can change for the better.

This summer has been one of those seasons for me. From being denied at annual conference to a flare up of my ulcerative colitis to getting COVID and everything in between, there have been many days when it is hard for me to believe that things will ever get better.

Our scripture this week comes from Mark 9:14-29 which tells the story of Jesus healing a boy. The passage describes the gruesome details of his experience and explains that the disciples had difficulty healing the boy. So the boy’s father who is determined to help his son brings him to Jesus. Jesus asks him what is going on and the father then tells him everything.

Jesus responds in a way that seems to critique the faith of his disciples. He says to the man, “All things can be done for the one who believes.” Jesus then heals the boy and he is brought back into the fold of his community. As people ask Jesus how he did it, he says that this type of healing can only come through prayer. In other words, it can only happen when they believe.

Often through the book of Mark there is a sense of doubt among the disciples and Jesus is constantly reassuring them of his power and identity as the Son of God. The story calls to mind our own sense of doubt and the things we wrestle with on a day to day basis.

The Gospels remind us that Jesus’ sole mission is to bring about love, healing and acceptance within communities. However, as followers we must BELIEVE that those things are possible. Like the disciples, we will likely face moments and days of doubt, and yet Jesus calls us to have faith. He reminds us that the power of healing comes through faith itself.

Whatever you may be going through, know that God longs for you to experience healing and wholeness. Might each of us BELIEVE that God is with us. As we come to believe, I trust that we will each be transformed by God’s ultimate love.

I hope you’ll join us for worship this Sunday at 11am in person or online! We look forward to experiencing God’s healing power as we worship and share in a time of Holy Communion. Hope to see you then!

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Kipp