In seminary, my LT101 professor once remarked that when it came to theological exploration most people in the pews were in a phase of “arrested development.” Confirmation served as graduation from the obligation of attending church and continuing any further religious study. Personally, I knew this to be true. It’s one reason I relished seminary and delving into scriptural, theological, liturgical, etc. education as an adult.

In his book Scripture and Discernment: Decision Making in the Church, Luke Timothy Johnson questions if the church is better served by leaders who have graduate degrees. Does all our knowledge help us in proclaiming the good news? Does our expertise draw us closer to the ways of God? I’m glad I have mine, glad of the process. But, I too wonder.

This Sunday John the Baptist’s bold proclamations of repentance and even bolder assertions of the coming Messiah are replaced with doubt. Now that he is alone in a prison cell, he has just one question, “is Jesus really the guy?” Within his question I hear even more, i.e. “Is this really worth it?” or, “was I right?”, or, “how bad is this going to get?” and even, “God, would you please show me a sign?”

I don’t need my divinity degree to connect with any of those questions. This week, thanks to an invitation to participate in an evening of storytelling, I’m sharing a story of a Christmas when I was filled with doubt, grief and absolutely no clarity about my future. I was wrestling with God and my call, and still had to do this job we do of sharing good news. That, my friend, as I’m sure you well know is hard work. Something you have probably had to do in times of your own doubts, too.

The prophet wants what all of us want - an answer. Specifically, is Jesus the answer to our many questions? How is God the answer, what does that look like? And as usual, Jesus invites us to answer our own question, “What do you see?” Where do you see healing, restoration, goodness? Where do you see light breaking in?

In your times of darkness, what kept you looking for the light? Did you rely on the witness of others? Did you pray your questions fervently? Did your experience open your heart to deeper empathy and understanding? Acknowledging and exploring doubts and questions is something the prophets have always done.

Regardless of the theological education of the people in your pews there are certainly people who are doubting, who are struggling. There really are people who, “need a little Christmas, right this very minute.” We can’t provide all of the answers, but we can prompt some thought-provoking questions. We can, like Jesus asks John’s followers to do, point to where we see God’s restoring and healing work. Surely there are beams of light throughout your community of faith. Maybe the light your congregation shines has given you strength in your times of doubt?

Jesus tells his followers, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.” (Jn 15:11). Joy, like the peace of God, surpasses understanding. It is always within us. Sometimes our doubts are what we need to get stirred up, as we pray in our opening collect. so that we can ask God to show us what we need to see.