A friend of mine told me that when he was preparing to be confirmed, the pastor demanded that each child come up with a favorite Bible verse to use in the ceremony. My friend chose the one that had meant the most to him over the years, Mark 9:24, "I believe, help my unbelief."

The pastor quickly pulled him aside and demanded he choose another, less confusing passage.

Such honesty was not welcome in the church. Sadly, it too often remains true today. Too many of us in the church are afraid of the truth and the truth is that we doubt. Now the church may be afraid of doubt but God is not. The very promise of the gospel is that we are cherished and accepted doubts and all. You are not more loved because you are a Christian than if you are not. You are not accepted more because you have an unquestioning faith rather than nagging doubt.

We are loved, believers or not.