Convinced of Jesus

Following Jesus from the Edges
Pastor Calvin Cook | November 3, 2026

“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” — John 20:28, NIV

This morning, as I sat in prayer and meditation, I began thinking about the things before me that needed attention. I prayed that, in the middle of everything, I would see and experience Jesus.

I prayed for those who are struggling, sick, or grieving, and especially for those trying to understand what a relationship with Jesus looks like.

We hear of wonderful and powerful things happening in the name of Jesus. Sometimes we wonder why we do not recognize that same movement in our own lives. That question invites me to examine my willingness to surrender—to place my trust in God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Have I given Him room to lead?

I listen as people describe what they want their relationship with God to look like and what they believe the church should be. I recognize my own expectations in those conversations. Yet another question keeps returning: What does God want?

This morning, those thoughts drew me to John 20 and Jesus’ appearances following His resurrection.

Thomas was absent when Jesus appeared to the other disciples. When they told him they had seen the Lord, he insisted that he needed to see the wounds in Jesus’ hands and touch His side before he would believe.

I find myself pausing there.

Do I sometimes place conditions on my relationship with Jesus? Do I decide how He must work before I will trust Him?

I will believe when this situation changes. I will follow when I understand. I will surrender when I know where You are taking me.

There are honest questions behind some of those words. Grief, disappointment, and fear can make trusting difficult. Jesus knew what Thomas carried, and He met him with grace.

A week later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus came and stood among them, although the doors were locked. He greeted them with peace. Then He invited Thomas to examine His wounds and called him to stop doubting and believe.

Jesus addressed the very conditions Thomas had named.

Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God!”

His response was a confession of who Jesus is—and an acknowledgment of His authority.

Jesus then spoke a blessing over those who would believe without seeing Him as Thomas had. That reaches into our lives today. We have received the apostles’ testimony through Scripture, and we are invited to trust the risen Christ.

Friends, I do not want to miss that invitation while waiting for Jesus to meet every expectation I have created.

He welcomes us to bring Him our decisions, trials, burdens, sickness, and broken relationships. We can ask for healing, receive His sustaining grace, and trust His presence even when answers unfold differently than we hoped.

Our pursuit of holiness grows as that confession becomes our daily response: My Lord and my God.

Lord of my plans. Lord of my attitudes. Lord of the parts of my life I still struggle to surrender.

Prayer: Risen Jesus, meet me in my questions and uncertainty. Help me recognize Your presence and receive Your peace. Give me grace to surrender my conditions and follow You faithfully. Let my words become the way I live: “My Lord and my God!” Amen.