In the book of Exodus, the Israelites were leaving Egypt and heading towards their promise land. But right before they reached the red sea there was Pharaoh and the Egyptians coming after them one more time. Imagine their thoughts. They must have been thinking, what on earth is God doing? He completes all these miraculous signs and victories in Egypt only to have us chased after and killed? ...Isn't that like life as we know it? One day we pay off a major hospital bill just barely having enough money left to buy a gallon of milk...and then all of a sudden the car breaks down.What are our thoughts? "Well, if its not one thing it's another!." I know I've said that many times. I often feel bad for the Israelites in the old testament. I mean really, when you think about it, it was one thing after another...I would have been grumbling too. When reading Exodus, it makes me ask God why? Why on earth did you put these people through all this. Why on earth did it take them 40 years for an 11 day journey for crying out loud! The truth is, many of us know the answer to that...we just don't like it. It took these people 40 years because they learned their lessons, but made no long term changes in their lives.God had a promised land waiting for them but he couldn't give it to them if every time they faced hardships they ran to sin, and idols. They didn't trust him completely, so they did what made them feel good, they tried to take their problems into their own hands and when they did, they made a mess. Why do you think God said to them, "save only enough Manna for one day", and when those who didn't listen stored more than they should, maggots came and infested the extra manna! Um...can you say Eww. So, what was the point of that? Simple, God wanted to show his people he would provide what they needed but they had to trust him on a day to day basis. Any time we try to go the extra mile because we don't think God will come through, we tend to make a mess. God just want us to simply trust, even when we don't see the provisions for the future, he wants us to trust. Because trust is the fuel that pushes God to move.
So with that being said...what on earth is a Thomas Mask? That my friends, is the Mask I wear when my trust for God is on empty. When I want to run the engine of life on my own strength and power. The Thomas Mask will cause one to try and try and stress out, wondering why the heck am I getting nowhere! Let's face it... we are getting no where because we are working with an empty tank. Our tank need to be full because once again trust is the fuel that pushes God to move. My Thomas Mask was named after one of Jesus' down to earth disciples, who in my opinion is criticized more than he should be, Mr " Doubting Thomas". All Thomas did was ask Jesus to prove he really was who he said he was, by showing him his pierced hands and feet...when Jesus appeared to his disciples after he resurrected. You know what, knowing me I might have done the same thing. Why? Let's face it...unless we see it, it's hard to believe it. Unless I know what tomorrow holds I can't have any peace. Unless I get to see this money right now I'm not gonna stop worrying about these bills. So sorry God I'm gonna have to put my Thomas Mask on, and try to work this problem out some how without you because you are taking way too long to show yourself. My Thomas Mask makes me wrestle with stress, thoughts and ideas, without reaching a real solution.
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