I wrote yesterday about the thick-headed, slow-hearted doubters to whom Jesus entrusted the Great Commission. Today I want to add one more thing about doubters, an idea from my friend Bill Mowry, author of Ways of the Alongsider, an excellent tool for developing disciple-makers. Here’s the text:

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. (Matthew 28.16, 17, ESV)

Bill’s observation?

They doubted, but they showed up!

Same with Thomas, whom we wrote about last week. He may have doubted, but he showed up!

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. (John 20.26, ESV)

We don’t need to be superstars. We don’t need to be free of doubt…of our ability or of Jesus’ ability to use us. We just need to show up – another word for that is faithful.

What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2.2, ESV, alternate reading, emphasis mine)