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“Lord, to whom can we go?” – John 6:68

I am just returning from vacation where I traveled to Iowa and Wisconsin and made several stops along the way to visit friends and family in Des Moines, Ames, Gilbert, Dubuque, Sheboygan and Sheboygan Falls. It was a time of rest and rejuvenation. It was a time for me to reconnect with many people that have been on my faith journey since I had become a pastor. I have found through the years that it has been helpful for me to take time to visit those who I have connected with in my faith journey to renew my commitment in following Christ. Through hearing their stories of faith and leadership it strengthens and inspires my sense of direction in Christ. 

In the Gospel reading this Sunday, after Jesus shares some challenging and confusing ideas about faith we learn, “Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.” It’s always tempting to write them off or judge those who gave up on Jesus and turned back as people who were too caught up in themselves or unfaithful to believe. But I think it is important to note that John calls “those people” … "disciples." 

The people in Sunday’s reading who now are leaving Jesus are the people who actually, believed in Jesus. They are the ones who had followed him and had given up much to do so. But now, finally, after all their waiting, wondering, and worrying, they have grown tired, and they can no longer see clearly what it was about Jesus that attracted them to him in the first place, and so they leave. Are we really all that different? I mean, which of us has not at one time or another wondered about Jesus, doubted God’s presence in our lives, or just how relevant this faith thing really is? 

Aren’t we tempted, at times, to questions our faith?  Maybe we don't announce our questions aloud. Maybe it’s just that we don't make the extra effort to get to church regularly, or we reduce what we've been giving, or we are more reluctant to help others, or we simply stop praying until, in the end, we end up just like the disciples in Sunday’s reading, turning back from Jesus. 

Be assured, especially, in those moments we are struggling in our faith, that there are people still praying and telling their faith stories when we can’t. That is Hope…Hope Rising in the midst of family and friends and others who keep the faith in the midst of doubt all around. Amen.