A Catholic friend once commented “You Methodists when you pray the Lord’s Prayer only say ‘Amen’ once, but we need the extra assurance, so we say ‘Amen and Amen.’ ”
Something the Pastor said Sunday triggered a thought, “Why do we Christians seem to need extra assurance?” We leap on new scientific evidence that Jesus actually lived (while many at the same time distrust scientific inquiry); we are on the lookout for skeptics; we pass trite sayings around the Web; we feel more holy if we visit certain ancient shrines; we need constant assurance from others.
This is not unusual. Read about Jesus’ last week. But don’t read about him. Check out the disciples. They needed constant assurance about what was going on. Even when Jesus told them, they didn’t comprehend.
Many of us criticize the disciples. But, they are really just like us.
Two events changed them–and the world–forever. First, Jesus came back to teach them after having been executed. Then came the event we call Pentecost where the full power of the Holy Spirit infused them.
The power to start a movement and change the lives of millions didn’t come because they agreed to a set of propositions about God. It came because they experienced God. They experienced power and they let that power infuse their beings to the very core.
That’s still the task of a seeker today. Open yourself to God’s unexpected grace and power. That’s where your assurance comes from.
Faith Venture 
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