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The Skeleton in My Closet

When I was interviewing for the pastor position of Hollywood Community Church, I was asked several times by both the pulpit committee as well as the Leadership Team if there were any skeletons in my closet.  The obvious meaning being that they wanted to know if there were any hidden sins, secrets or temptations that when exposed would bring shame to the church and reproach to the cause of Christ.  Thankfully, God has graciously allowed me to not become victim to any of the things which have brought down so many of my ministerial colleagues.

This week, though, I was reminded of the fact that there still may yet be a skeleton in my closet.  Philip Yancey in his book Reaching for the Invisible God said that "doubt is the skeleton in the closet of faith."  The simple truth is that every believer has times when his faith is weak. Many of the great characters of faith in the Bible had their moments of doubt.  Abraham feared for his life in Egypt and lied about Sarah being his wife.  Job's friends were shocked and angered by his willingness to freely express his uncertainties and hesitations.  The demoniac's father in Mark 9 asked the Lord to help him with his unbelief.  Even the disciples pleaded with the Lord to increase their faith.  So yes, I also must confess that there are moments when my faith is weak and the skeleton of doubt hides in my closet.

Do you have times when you seem more skeptical than trusting?   Take heart in the fact that you are primed and ready to experience a growth spurt of faith.  For it is truly in the moments of doubt that you have the greatest opportunity for your faith to grow.  So take your skeleton out of the closet and realize that it is nothing more than a hard structure upon which living tissue can grow.  Allow the Lord to increase your faith.

Romans 10:17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing  by the Word of God.