I have more doubts than certainties about my game, except the certainty of doubt. Having started the game late in life, my big challenge is to replace bad habits with good ones. It seems that all my past athletic activities create more problems than solutions; or perhaps it’s the lack of athleticism. Whatever. I am in a daily battle of doubtful improvement vs. the tenacity to overcome doubt.

There are bigger and more important doubts in life than those associated with tennis. The question is, where do we find certainty in the midst of these doubts?

Perhaps the biggest doubt is about Christ. Is He really the Son of God? Did He really rise from the dead? Can He really save me from myself?

We find a path to belief in John’s Gospel concerning the Apostle Thomas who is often called “doubting Thomas.” (John 20: 19-31) Take a moment to read this passage for context to what I write.

Ironically, it is expressing—not repressing—doubt that is a pathway to belief. For, doubt expressed can be doubt answered. In Thomas’ situation, he needed physical proof of Christ’s resurrection and he received it.

Doubt with the desire, or at least the openness, to believe is a powerful force. We can harness this force at any time through prayer. Christ said to Thomas, “Do not doubt but believe.” This is neither a rebuke nor a command. It is an invitation. Accept the invitation and the peace that accompanies it.

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