2021 Worship Guide

Page 4 2021 Worship Guide LINCOLN DAILY NEWS December 1, 2021 Mother Teresa borrowed a line from St. John of the Cross when she referred to the “dark night of the soul.” Habakkuk opened his book in the Bible by asking the question: “God, where are you?” In Matthew 3, John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” In chapter 11, he said, “Are you the one, or should we look for another?” Doubt. When you’re out of money and there are still bills to pay. When your child is sick and not getting any better. When you and your spouse seem to be drifting farther apart. Doubt. The problem with doubt is that it’s so… emotional. It defies logic. When doubt hits, reason and intellect go out the window. It’s not about answers; it’s about relief. We don’t need answers; we need comfort and resolution. When a loved one dies, we don’t want to know why they died – we want them back. In Luke 1, we are introduced to Mary, a young teenage girl about to get the shock of her life. Her story reminds us that God doesn’t always provide answers, but He does provide assurances to her and to all of us that God is bigger than any doubt we might face. Mary had the assurance of God’s presence. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. - Luke 1:28 She had the assurance of God’s passion. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God - Luke 1:30 She had the assurance of God’s promises. “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” - Luke 1:31-33 She had the assurance of God’s power. “How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. - Luke 1:34-36 She even had the assurance of God’s people. “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to When Doubt Encounters Christmas CONTINUE