The Compass Chronicles: Faith, Fandom & Life Podcast
The Compass Chronicles: Faith, Fandom, and Life
Hosted by Javier
Welcome to The Compass Chronicles Podcast—where faith meets fandom, life gets real, and every step of the journey points us back to something bigger. I’m Javier, and every week I’ll be your guide through meaningful conversations that connect Scripture, culture, and the everyday questions we all wrestle with.
This isn’t your average faith podcast. We’re digging deep into the Bible while also exploring the movies, music, comics, and anime that shape our thinking. From exploring identity and purpose through the lens of the Gospel to unpacking the spiritual themes in your favorite fandoms, this show brings you honest insights, thoughtful theology, and a lot of heart.
We aim to question clichés, pose significant questions, and facilitate respectful, Christ-centered discussions—as truth and grace should never be separated. So if you’re ready for faith that engages your whole life and worldview, hit subscribe and join the growing community of thinkers, believers, and curious minds on The Compass Chronicles.
The Compass Chronicles: Faith, Fandom & Life Podcast
Through the Fog: How Doubt Clears the Way to Truth Pt. 2
Doubt often lurks in the shadows of our faith conversations, treated like a shameful secret rather than a universal experience. This episode boldly shines light on the intellectual side of doubt—those moments when our minds struggle to reconcile faith with science, suffering, and scriptural complexities.
Drawing from biblical examples like Thomas, Moses, and Job, we discover that questioning isn't spiritually weak—it's profoundly human. Jesus Himself commands us to love God with our minds, not just our hearts and souls. The greatest scientific minds throughout history were often people of deep faith who saw no contradiction between rational inquiry and spiritual devotion.
What if mystery isn't a flaw in Christianity but an essential feature? Isaiah reminds us that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, inviting us into trust beyond complete understanding. As Timothy Keller writes, "A faith without some doubts is like a human body without antibodies"—moments of questioning can actually strengthen our spiritual immune system.
The journey from doubt to deeper faith isn't about acquiring perfect certainty. It's about anchoring ourselves to Jesus Christ—the historical, tangible revelation of God's love who remains "the same yesterday, today, and forever." When Thomas needed proof, Jesus didn't scold him but showed him his scars. That same compassionate response awaits us in our uncertainties.
Whether you're confidently grounded or knee-deep in questions, this episode offers both permission to doubt honestly and practical wisdom for finding your way through. Your questions don't disqualify you from faith—they might be the very doorway to its deepest treasures.
I would love to hear from you!
For listeners looking to deepen their engagement with the topics discussed, visit our website or check out our devotionals and poetry on Amazon, with all proceeds supporting The New York School of The Bible at Calvary Baptist Church. Stay connected and enriched on your spiritual path with us!
Hello and welcome back to the Compass Chronicles, where faith, fandom and real life meet in meaningful conversation. I'm Javier, your host and fellow traveler on this winding road of faith. Whether you're tuning in from your car, your kitchen or your favorite reading spot, I'm glad you're here. We're in the second half of a two-part journey exploring doubt specifically. Is doubt a sin? In part one, we dug into what scripture says about doubt, looked at heroes of the faith who wrestle with it and tackled the tough reality of doubt that comes from pain or church hurt. If you missed it, go back and give it a listen. It sets the stage for where we're headed today.
Speaker 1:In this episode, we're picking up with the intellectual side of doubt, those moments when our head and heart seem to clash. We'll explore the gift of mystery, how doubt can deepen our spiritual maturity and where we can anchor our faith when questions linger. Let's dive in, but first let's pray together. Heavenly Father, thank you for meeting us in our questions and our seeking as we continue this conversation about doubt, open our hearts to your truth, guide our minds with your wisdom and draw us closer to your Son. In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.
Speaker 1:Have you ever felt like your mind was pulling you one way while your heart was tugging you in another. Like you, believe in God, but your questions about science, suffering or scripture leave you scratching your head. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone and you're definitely not broken. One of the most common sources of doubt is this inner tension between what we feel to be true in our hearts and what we're struggling to make sense of in our minds. It's the classic head versus heart dilemma and unfortunately, a lot of well-meaning Christians have been told to just turn off their brain and have faith. But real, sustainable faith doesn't ask us to check our logic at the door. Instead, it invites us to bring our questions into the presence of God and wrestle honestly. Let's begin with what Jesus himself said in Matthew, chapter 22, verse 37. You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. That last part, with all your mind, isn't a throwaway phrase. It's a directive. God doesn't just want your worship when the music's playing. He wants your intellect engaged, your curiosity sparked, your questions welcomed. He's not threatened by science, history or philosophy. After all, he created all of it. In fact, the more we study the intricacies of creation, the order of the cosmos, the depth of biological systems, the beauty of mathematics, the more we see the fingerprints of a divine creator. Logic and faith are not enemies At their best they work together. Few thinkers have captured this balance better than CS Lewis.
Speaker 1:Once a staunch atheist, lewis approached Christianity with deep skepticism. He didn't want to believe just for emotional comfort. He wanted to know if it was true. And over time, through study, friendship especially with fellow author JRR Tolkien, and deep reflection, lewis became convinced that Christianity made the most sense of the world. In mere Christianity, he wrote. I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. Lewis isn't saying that faith ignores reason. He's saying that faith gives context to reason. It's the light by which everything else comes into focus.
Speaker 1:Many believers, especially those raised in the church, are handed a simplified version of faith. And while simple faith can be beautiful, it can also leave us unprepared when we encounter real-life complexity. What happens when the Sunday school answers don't hold up under pressure? That's where doubt often enters the scene, not as a rejection of God, but as a desire to go deeper, and that's a good thing. Timothy Keller, in the Reason for God, writes this A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it. People who go through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic. Keller makes a powerful point Wrestling with doubt is part of building a resilient faith. It's how we develop spiritual antibodies. So what do you do when the doubts aren't emotional but intellectual, when you're struggling to make sense of complex questions that don't seem to have easy answers?
Speaker 1:Let's walk through a few of the most common intellectual sticking points and explore how Christians throughout history have responded. One of the most common doubts sounds like this if I believe in God, do I have to reject science? The short answer absolutely not. Some of the greatest scientific minds in history were devout Christians, people like Isaac Newton, johannes Kepler, blaise Pascal and Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics. They didn't see a conflict between science and faith. They saw science as a way to understand the mind of God. Modern scientists like Francis Collins, the former head of the Human Genome Project, have continued this tradition. Collins is both a world-class geneticist and a passionate Christian. In his book the Language of God, he writes the God of the Bible is also the God of the genome. He can be worshipped in the cathedral or in the laboratory.
Speaker 1:Faith and science answer different kinds of questions. Science explains the mechanics, the how. Faith explores meaning, the why. They're not at war, they're in conversation. This is the intellectual and emotional question that hits home for almost everyone at some point.
Speaker 1:If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why do terrible things happen? This is a huge question, one that books, sermons and entire doctoral theses have tried to answer. But let's touch on a few key points. First, the Bible never shies away from the reality of suffering. From Genesis to Revelation, we see a world groaning under the weight of sin, injustice and pain. The presence of suffering isn't a surprise to the Christian worldview. It's central to the story. Second, we have to recognize that Christianity offers something unique a God who suffers with us. In Isaiah, chapter 53, the Messiah is described as a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. In the Gospels, jesus weeps, bleeds and dies. The cross is not God avoiding suffering, it's God entering into it. So while we may never have all the answers to why a specific tragedy happens, we do have assurance that God is not indifferent. He is Emmanuel God, with us.
Speaker 1:Another common question is how do I know the Bible is reliable? That's a fair and important question, especially when culture constantly challenges its credibility. But there's good news the Bible is one of the most historically reliable ancient documents we possess. Here's just a quick snapshot the New Testament is supported by more than 5,000 Greek manuscripts, with some copies dating just a few decades after the original texts were written. That's significantly more than any other ancient work in existence. Archaeological discoveries continue to affirm details in scripture, from the existence of ancient cities to the reigns of kings and emperors.
Speaker 1:The Bible's internal consistency, written over 1, 1500 years by more than 40 authors on three continents, speaks to a remarkable coherence of message and purpose. Yes, the Bible requires faith, but not blind faith. It invites us to investigate, to explore and to let it shape our hearts and minds. You might also wonder aren't there contradictions in the Bible? The answer is it depends on what you mean. There are certainly apparent contradiction stories told from different perspectives, numbers that don't always match up, details that require interpretation, but these aren't new discoveries. Scholars, both ancient and modern, have wrestled with them honestly. In most cases, these contradictions can be understood through context who is speaking? What is the literary genre, cultural background, what was the norm in that time and place? Translation and interpretation. How was this phrase understood in the original Hebrew or Greek?
Speaker 1:When we do the work, many of the contradictions dissolve under deeper understanding and where mystery remains, we trust the character of God, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the unity of Scripture's message. So how do we reconcile our intellectual doubts with our emotional and spiritual convictions? We stop seeing them as enemies and start viewing them as partners. Think of your heart and your mind like two pedals on a bicycle. You won't get very far if you're only pressing one. Real faith involves both a deep love for God and a curious mind that seeks understanding. In Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 7, it says the beginning of wisdom is this get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. God calls us to pursue wisdom, not avoid it, to engage with tough questions, not run from them. And here's the beautiful part as we pursue wisdom with humility, god meets us there. He's not playing hide and seek, he's a God who reveals himself. If you're someone who loves to think deeply, who questions, who analyzes, who wants to believe, but just can't silence your inner skeptic. You're in good company.
Speaker 1:Many of the church's greatest theologians, apologists and thinkers walked the same path. Their faith was not a flight from reason. It was the result of wrestling honestly with reality. So don't hide your questions, don't be ashamed of your intellectual doubts. Bring them into community, bring them into scripture, bring them into prayer, as James, chapter 1, verse 5, says. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him he.
Speaker 1:Let's talk about something that's both uncomfortable and oddly beautiful mystery. We live in a world that craves certainty. We want facts, answers, clarity, preferably in under 30 seconds. We've got Google in our pockets, endless data at our fingertips and we're used to getting solutions fast. So it's no surprise that when it comes to our faith, we expect the same kind of clear, buttoned-up responses. But here's the truth Faith was never designed to give us every answer. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that mystery is not just part of the journey, it's a gift. Let's be honest, that's hard to accept, especially for those of us who find peace in logic and resolution. But what if mystery isn't something to fear or fight against. What if it's something that invites us to trust?
Speaker 1:In Isaiah, chapter 55, verses 8 and 9, god says For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. This is one of the most humbling verses in all of scripture. It reminds us that God is infinite and we are not. Our perspective is limited. We see in part, we understand in fragments. This doesn't mean God is hiding from us. It means there are realities about his nature, his timing and his purposes that we may never fully grasp in this lifetime. And that's okay. There's something beautiful about trusting a God who's bigger than our comprehension. If we could explain every detail of how God works, wouldn't that make him a little small? Mystery keeps us humble. It reminds us that we're creatures, not the creator.
Speaker 1:Even the Apostle Paul, arguably the greatest theological mind in the New Testament, embraced mystery In 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 12 12 he writes For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. Paul doesn't pretend to know everything. He acknowledges that right now we see through a foggy window. The picture is incomplete, but that doesn't lead him to despair. It points him to hope, and that's a key truth. Mystery isn't the end of faith. It's the beginning of deeper trust. Have, and that's a key truth, mystery isn't the end of faith, it's the beginning of deeper trust.
Speaker 1:Have you noticed how often Jesus responds to questions with more questions? All throughout the Gospels, people come to Jesus hoping for a straight answer and often Jesus turns it around. He asks them to reflect. He gives parables instead of point-by-point instructions. He challenges motives instead of handing out pre-packaged clarity.
Speaker 1:In John, chapter 6, after Jesus teaches about being the bread of life, many of his followers are confused, even offended. They say this is a hard saying. Who can listen to it? Verse 60,. And instead of explaining every detail, jesus simply asks do you take offense at this? And then lets many of them walk away. He didn't run after them to clarify. He let the mystery sit. Why? Because he knew that faith isn't just built on answers. It's built on trust in the one who is truth. Sometimes Jesus gives clarity, other times he invites people to follow him despite not knowing every answer. That's not because he's trying to be difficult. It's because he knows that true relationship requires trust, not just understanding.
Speaker 1:When Jesus was preparing to leave his disciples, he promised them something remarkable In John, chapter 16, verse 13. He said when the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. Notice that he will guide you, not dump everything on you at once, not hand you a full blueprint. The Holy Spirit walks with us and reveals truth over time, as we're ready to receive it. And here's the beautiful thing the Spirit isn't just our teacher, he's our comforter. So when we're in seasons of confusion, the Spirit doesn't just give us facts, he gives us peace. In Philippians, chapter 4, verse 7, paul says and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Read that again Peace that surpasses understanding. That means there will be times when understanding doesn't come, but peace still can. That's the kind of peace only the Spirit can give.
Speaker 1:There are certain questions we may carry for the rest of our lives. Why did my loved one die so young? Why does evil seem to prosper while good people suffer? Why does God feel silent when I need Him most. These are real questions, gut level, soul, deep questions. And while scripture offers wisdom, there are moments when it doesn't offer full explanations. Instead, it offers presence, it offers promise.
Speaker 1:In Deuteronomy, chapter 29, verse 29, we're told the secret. Things belong to the Lord, our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever. There it is the tension between mystery and revelation. Some things God has made plain, others he has chosen to keep hidden, and both are okay. Our faith grows not only through what we know, but also through what we choose to trust, even when we don't know.
Speaker 1:Think about your closest human relationships. Do you know every thought in your friend's head? Do you understand every nuance of your spouse's heart? No, and yet that doesn't stop you from loving them. In fact, part of what makes relationships meaningful is that there's always more to learn. The same is true with God. We'll never exhaust who he is, and that's good news.
Speaker 1:Mystery invites wonder, it sparks awe. It reminds us that God is not just a subject to study. He's a person to worship. In Romans, chapter 11, verses 33 through 36, paul bursts into praise. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways. For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor. To him be glory forever, amen. What did he do? He sent his son. What is our hope? Eternal life through Christ.
Speaker 1:These truths don't eliminate every mystery, but they give us a solid place to stand. Let questions drive you toward God, not away from him. Doubt doesn't have to lead to distance. It can lead to deeper pursuit. Ask, seek, knock. God isn't intimidated by your questions. He welcomes them. Practice trust, even when it's hard.
Speaker 1:Faith is often described as a walk. That means it's step by step. You don't need to see the whole path, just the next step. And when you take that step in trust, god meets you there. Surround yourself with fellow seekers. Find people who don't shy away from hard questions. Be part of a community that values curiosity, honesty and scripture-centered exploration.
Speaker 1:Stay in the word, even when it feels foggy. Keep showing up, even when the answers don't come right away. The word is living and active. Sometimes it speaks when you least expect it. One of the greatest comforts of the Christian faith is that we don't walk this road alone. Not only do we have the Holy Spirit, but we also walk in the footsteps of saints who have gone before us.
Speaker 1:Abraham was called the father of faith, yet he questioned God's promise. David was a man after God's own heart, yet he cried out in despair. Job was described as blameless, yet he demanded answers from heaven. Mary, the mother of Jesus, asked how will this be? When she received the angel's message? Thomas needed to touch the wounds of Jesus before he believed.
Speaker 1:Paul, who wrote half the New Testament, said in 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, verse 8, we are perplexed, but not driven to despair. Perplexed but still holding on. That's the life of faith. If you find yourself in a season where answers are hard to come by, don't panic. Don't feel like you're failing. Mystery doesn't mean God is absent. It may mean he's inviting you deeper. Let mystery lead you to worship. Let your questions keep you near His heart. One day, as 1 John 3, verse 2 promises, we shall see Him as he is. Until then, we walk by faith, we trust what we know, we hold space for what we don't, and we rest in the arms of a God who is bigger than our understanding and closer than our very breath.
Speaker 1:At first glance, doubt might seem like the opposite of spiritual growth. After all, should immature believers have everything figured out? Shouldn't spiritual strength look like unwavering confidence, perfect trust and flawless understanding? Well, not exactly In reality. Spiritual maturity doesn't mean having no doubts. It means knowing what to do with them. It means choosing to stay in the conversation with God, even when the answers come slowly. It means pressing in, not checking out, and often those who grow the deepest roots of faith are the ones who've weathered the fiercest storms of uncertainty. Let's take a closer look at how doubt, when handled well, can actually deepen your walk with Christ instead of derailing it.
Speaker 1:The Bible is filled with stories of people who grew stronger through seasons of wrestling, not in spite of their doubt, but because of it. Take Moses, for example. When God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt in Exodus, chapter 3, moses didn't leap up and say sounds great, lord, let's do it. No, he doubted himself and he questioned God's plan. In Exodus, chapter 4, verse 1, moses asks what if they do not believe me or listen to me? He goes on to argue with God, express his fears and basically say please send someone else. And yet Moses is later described in Numbers, chapter 12, verse 3, as very meek, more than all people who are on the face of the earth. His journey from doubt to obedience was messy, but it produced a humility and intimacy with God that defined his legacy.
Speaker 1:Or consider Gideon in Judges, chapter 6. When the angel of the Lord calls him a mighty man of valor, gideon is confused. He says in verse 13, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? That's a question we've all asked in some form, isn't it? Yet God meets Gideon in his questions, reassures him and uses him powerfully. Again and again, scripture reveals a powerful pattern Honest doubt combined with steady faith leads to deeper transformation.
Speaker 1:We often think spiritual maturity means becoming more self-sufficient, like we should eventually need less help from God, but in reality the opposite is true. As we grow in our faith, we begin to see just how much we constantly rely on the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit. In 2 Corinthians 12, verse 9, the Lord tells Paul my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Paul responds. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. That's spiritual maturity not pretending we're strong, but letting God's strength shine through our weakness when doubt makes us feel weak. It also creates space for God's grace to move. It softens our pride, reminds us we're not in control and pulls us closer to the one who is. You've probably noticed that people who ask good questions are often the ones who learn the most. That's just as true in faith as it is in science or art or business.
Speaker 1:Doubt, when handled with curiosity instead of cynicism, can become a launch pad for growth. Think about it most major theological breakthroughs in church history happened because someone had a question. The early church wrestled with the nature of Christ, fully God and fully man, and clarified doctrine through prayerful study and debate. The Protestant Reformation started because Martin Luther asked why are we teaching people they can buy forgiveness? The explosion of modern apologetics came from believers saying let's answer the hard questions people are asking. Today. None of that would have happened if everyone just nodded and stayed quiet. Growth starts with curiosity, and curiosity starts with a willingness to say I don't know, but I want to understand. As Proverbs 2, verse 3-5 says, god invites the seeker, he honors the question asker. Here's another powerful truth. Doubt can actually help us refine our theology, our understanding of who God is and how he works.
Speaker 1:Sometimes we pick up beliefs that aren't really biblical. They're just cultural, emotional or passed down through tradition. And when life crashes into those shallow or shaky beliefs we start to doubt, not because God has failed, but because what we believed about God needs correction. For example, if you've been taught that following Jesus means you'll always be happy and healthy, then suffering can create a crisis of faith. But scripture never promises a pain-free life. What it promises is God's presence in the pain. In John, chapter 16, verse 33, jesus says in the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world. That's not denial, that's hope in the middle of reality. When our beliefs are challenged, we're forced to ask Is this really what the Bible teaches? Is this really who God says he is? And if we're willing to study, pray and seek wise counsel, we often come away with a faith that's not just more accurate, it's more anchored.
Speaker 1:Here's a big marker of spiritual maturity the ability to live in tension. Life isn't black and white. Faith doesn't come with an answer key. There are paradoxes and mysteries we'll never fully solve, and spiritual babies can't handle that. They want neat boxes and easy formulas. But mature believers they can hold joy and grief at the same time they can worship through tears, they can say I don't understand, but I still trust, as Habakkuk shows us in chapter 3, verses 17 through 19. Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength. That's deep, rugged faith, that's maturity, and often it's born in the soil of hard questions.
Speaker 1:Another sign of growth is the ability to walk with others who are doubting, without freaking out or offering quick fixes. If your faith has weathered storms, you're in a beautiful position to comfort those who are questioning, not with cliches, not with pat answers, but with presence, as 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 3 and 4, reminds us. Blessed be the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction. When someone comes to you and says I'm not sure if I believe anymore, don't panic, don't start preaching, listen, ask questions, share your journey and point them back to Christ, not as a concept, but as a person who meets us in our weakness. That kind of empathy is only possible when you've walked through doubt yourself and come out with a deeper dependence on God.
Speaker 1:Mature faith isn't built on vibes or emotions. It's built on the Word of God, and doubt can actually drive us deeper into Scripture if we let it. Instead of turning to YouTube videos or comment sections as our primary source of truth, we can return again and again to the Bible, not just reading it, but studying it, meditating on it, asking what does this actually say? What does this mean in context? Psalm, chapter 1, verses 2 and 3, describes the righteous person this way His delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. When you let doubt push you toward deeper study, you begin to grow roots that can withstand drought. You start to bear fruit, not just for yourself, but for others.
Speaker 1:Let's close this section with one more important reminder your questions don't make you a second-class Christian. If anything, they mean, your faith is alive and growing. Think about the man in Mark, chapter 9, verse 24, who cried out to Jesus, I believe, help my unbelief. Jesus didn't scold him. He responded with compassion and healing. That's the heart of Jesus. That's the heart of maturity. Not pretending to have all the answers, but continuing to come to Christ with open hands, saying I'm still learning, I'm still seeking and I still trust you.
Speaker 1:So far we've explored how doubt is more common and more biblically present than we often admit. We've seen how doubt can sharpen our faith, deepen our understanding, refine our theology and grow our spiritual maturity. But now we turn to what may be the most important question of all when do we go from here? Because even if we understand that doubt isn't a sin, even if we embrace it as part of our growth, even if we've walked with it through seasons of transformation, there still comes a point when we need an anchor, a place to rest, a foundation that holds. And scripture gives us one name over and over again for that foundation Jesus Christ. When all else feels uncertain, when doctrine gets complicated, when, jesus Christ, when all else feels uncertain, when doctrine gets complicated, when emotions fluctuate, when leaders disappoint, when life takes turns, we never expect that Jesus remains.
Speaker 1:In Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 8, we read Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. That one sentence packs an entire theology of stability. It reminds us that our hope is not in our ability to figure everything out. It's in the one who never changes. We might be full of questions, doubts or even fears, but Jesus, he's not pacing heaven nervously. He's seated, sovereign, secure. In Colossians, chapter 1, verses 16 and 17, paul writes For by him all things were created and in him all things hold together. Read that again In him, all things hold together. That includes your faith, even when it feels like it's falling apart. That includes your faith, even when it feels like it's falling apart. That includes your life, even when it feels like the pieces don't fit. That includes your story, even when the plot twists leave you confused.
Speaker 1:When doubt shakes us, we need something. We can point to, something concrete, historical and deeply personal. And for the Christian, that something is always the cross. In Romans, chapter 5, verse 8, we're reminded but God shows his love for us in that, while we were still sinners, christ died for us. That's not theory, that's reality. The cross is where love became tangible, where grace took on flesh, where hope stretched out its arms and said this is how far I'll go to bring you back. And when your doubts scream, does God really love me, or is all of this even true? You can look to the cross and say yes, yes, it is. Because if the cross is true, if Jesus really did live, die and rise again, then no amount of intellectual fog or emotional turmoil can erase that fact.
Speaker 1:As Timothy Keller has often said, if Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said. If he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about anything he said? It all comes back to that moment in history, and the good news is the resurrection has stood up to centuries of scrutiny and still stands. Let's revisit a powerful truth from earlier Jesus gets it. He doesn't just tolerate our questions, he understands them, not from a distance, but up close. He walked in our shoes, felt our fears, carried our grief, faced abandonment, betrayal, suffering and death. In Hebrews, chapter 4, verses 15 and 16, we read For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. Let us, then, with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. If doubt has left you feeling unworthy or disqualified, hear this the throne of grace is still open to you. Jesus is not rolling his eyes at your questions. He's inviting you closer.
Speaker 1:When Thomas doubted, jesus didn't scold him. He showed him his scars and he's Through community. He reveals himself gently and faithfully. Maybe you're thinking, but I feel like I can barely hang on right now. Good news you're not the only one holding on. In John, chapter 10, verse 28,. Jesus says of his followers I give them eternal life and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. Even when your grip feels weak, his isn't. Even when your faith flickers, his love blazes strong. Remember the words of 2 Timothy 2, verse 13. If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. Faith isn't a performance, it's a posture, and sometimes the most honest posture is simply saying Lord, I'm still here. I don't have it all figured out, but I want you. And he always, always responds to that prayer.
Speaker 1:You may be surprised to hear this, but the church, the global body of Christ, needs doubters, not to water down the truth, but to sharpen it, to bring depth, to challenge assumptions, to make the community richer, wiser and more compassionate. People who ask hard questions are often the ones who help refine the answers. People who wrestle with scripture are often the ones who end up treasuring it the most. If you're in a season of doubt, don't disqualify yourself. You might be exactly who your church community needs right now. You bring honesty, you bring hunger, you bring a willingness to grow. That's beautiful and valuable and holy.
Speaker 1:Let's return to Thomas one last time. In John chapter 20, when Jesus appears and shows Thomas his wounds, thomas doesn't just nod and say, okay, I get it now. No, he falls to his knees and says, my Lord and my God verse 28. That's what happens when doubt turns into encounter. Not just information but transformation, not just answers but adoration. Jesus doesn't want to just satisfy your curiosity. He wants to win your heart. And that shift from doubt to worship isn't a one-time event. It's a rhythm, a journey, a daily choosing to say I don't have to understand everything to trust the one who holds everything.
Speaker 1:If you're listening to this and you're knee deep in questions, wondering if there's still a place for you in the Christian life, hear this there is room for you, there is grace for you, there is hope for you, there is truth for you and there is a Savior who sees you, knows you and isn't afraid of your doubts. As you continue to explore, ask, wrestle and reflect, hold on to these promises. James, chapter 4, verse 8, draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Psalm, chapter 34, verse 18, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Philippians, chapter 1, verse 6, he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. That means your story isn't finished, not by a long shot. If God started something in your faith curiosity, longing, he's going to see it through. So don't give up.
Speaker 1:In Revelation, chapter 3, verse 20, jesus says Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him and he with me. That verse isn't just for people who've never met Jesus. It's for anyone who needs to reopen the door, especially in seasons of doubt. So if your heart feels closed today, if your faith feels tired or tangled, if your soul is asking more questions than it's answering, just open the door. Let him in Again, or maybe for the first time, because at the end of the day, faith isn't about having a flawless spiritual record. It's about knowing the one who knocks and trusting that his voice is always calling us home.
Speaker 1:Well, friends, here we are at the end of today's journey, a journey through doubt, discovery and deeper faith. If you've stuck with me all the way, I just want to say thank you. Seriously, it takes courage to listen to an entire episode about doubt and faith, especially if your soul is sitting in that tension right now, whether you're standing strong in your beliefs, questioning everything or somewhere in between. I'm so glad you're here. You've heard me say it several times, but it bears repeating Doubt is not a sign of failure. It's often a doorway to growth. You're not disqualified because you've got questions. In fact, your willingness to keep asking, seeking and showing up, that's faith in action. And that leads me to this.
Speaker 1:If today's conversation stirred something in your heart, if you felt a tug toward Jesus, maybe for the first time, or maybe back toward him after a season of distance, I want to extend an invitation. Jesus is knocking. He's not waiting for you to get it all together. He's not demanding that you have perfect theology. He's not asking for flawless faith. He's offering Himself.
Speaker 1:So if your heart is open right now, would you pray with me? Heavenly Father, I come to you with all my questions, all my fears and all my doubts, but even more. I come with a heart that wants to know you. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose again to give me life. Right now, I place my trust in Him as my Lord and Savior. I ask you to forgive me, to lead me and to walk with me every step of the way, even when I don't have all the answers. Help me to trust the one who does. Thank you for loving me just as I am, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Speaker 1:If you just prayed that prayer, welcome, or welcome back to the family of faith. Truly, this is the start of a relationship that will transform every part of your life, bit by bit, day by day. I want to encourage you to get connected to a local Bible teaching church, dive into the scriptures for yourself and surround yourself with a community that embraces both truth and grace. And if you're someone who didn't pray that prayer today, but you're still asking and seeking, keep going. Don't give up. Keep bringing those questions to God, keep showing up in the hard places. I believe he's already closer than you realize.
Speaker 1:If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck or even hopeless, please don't isolate yourself. Whether your struggle is spiritual, emotional or mental, you are not alone and there is help available. If you're in the United States and you're experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, please call or text the 988-SUICIDE-AND-CRISIS lifeline. Someone is always there 24-7 to listen and help. It's free. Thank you, dot org. We'd love to hear from you, pray with you and walk alongside you in your faith journey.
Speaker 1:Remember, the Christian life is not about having a flawless faith record. It's about staying connected to the one who is always faithful. It's about running your race, even if you stumble sometimes. It's about knowing that Jesus meets you, not at the finish line, but right where you are doubts and all. He is your anchor, your guide, your redeemer, your friend. So, wherever you are today, whether you're confident, confused, curious or just clinging to hope, know this you are seen, you are loved, you are not alone. Thank you again for joining me here on the compass chronicles. I'm javier and I can't wait to meet you again on the next episode, where we keep exploring the intersection of faith, fandom and real life application, with open hearts and honest minds. Until then, keep the compass steady, keep walking and remember, even in the doubt, god is still leading. God bless you and take care. Thank you.
