The Weary Still Sit Here

At the table with the doubters, the deniers, the weary... and the One who still calls them friends.

Author’s Note: Lately, I’ve never had more to say… and less time to say it. This week, I’ve been job hunting, running a ministry, tying up freelance work, and prepping for the birth of my daughter. I am tired. My “content strategy” is dead in a ditch.

But I’ve got this: a piece of devotional fiction for fellow wanderers and worn-out saints. It’s for those of us who love Jesus, but sometimes feel like fools for trying to follow Him in a world that rewards everything but faithful Christ following.

I hope you find yourself in it. And I hope you find Him, too.

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Begin

The fire crackles low. Bread still warm. Night wind pressing softly against the edges of the room.

Jesus, surrounded by His disciples, leans back on the worn wood of the table, eyes fixed on you… eyes filled not with pity, but with knowing. The kind of knowing that makes you want to both collapse and stay upright at the same time.

You say it slow, voice thick:

“Jesus… I’ve been faithful. I gave everything. And I feel like I’m being crushed under the weight of a calling that’s never going to pan out. It feels like an impossible task… like I’m re-arranging chairs on the Titanic. I feel like a fool.”

Silence hangs for a breath.

John, the youngest, speaks first.
Soft voice. Almost a whisper.

“I remember standing at the cross. Watching Him die. I thought… this is it. We were wrong. We gave everything, and we were wrong. But… we weren’t! We just… hadn’t seen the tomb yet.”

Peter leans forward, burly forearms on the table, eyes locked on yours.

“Heh… You ever notice… in the scriptures… how Joshua hit the ground after Jericho? Not before. Not in the wilderness. But AFTER the victory… when his army falls at the battle of Ai… He cried out to Yahweh, “God what are you doing? Why did you bring us here? To wipe us all out?”

Jesus smiles at the mention of this ancient story, not merely because it’s a good tale, but because He remembered being right next to Joshua when He cried out… knowing the bigger picture Joshua could not yet see.

Peter continued.

“I know that fall. I had my own. I walked on water… then I sank. I swore I’d never deny Him… then I did. You think you’re a fool? Friend, I was armed with a sword and the Spirit, and still couldn’t stop things from unraveling. I couldn't even save myself.”

He grips your shoulder, rough-handed and sincere, with a tear in his eye.

“But the Master came back for me. Cooked me breakfast. Let me say ‘I love you’ three times. And He’ll come back for you too. Not always with answers... But always with presence. With fire and fish on the shore.”

Thomas smirks a little.

“You’re doubting the whole thing, aren’t you?”

You nod.

He raises a cup.

“Then you’re in good company.”

Jesus finally speaks.

His voice is quiet—but it lands like thunder softened by mercy.

“You thought calling would be comfort. But I called you to follow me, not to a palace, but to a cross.”

He breaks the bread in his hands.

“But here’s what you forget. After the cross… comes the garden. After the silence… comes a name spoken in the dawn. After you collapse… I lift you.”

He leans close.

“You’re not failing me, my child. You’re following me. Even if all it looks like right now is burden and blood. Stay on the path. And… make sure you remember that I am walking beside you every step.”

There’s a long silence. Then Peter turns to John, voice low with memory of the words of his Master.

“I remember when He first told us… I will be with you… always.’”

John nods, eyes misting.

“Even to the end of the age.”

Jesus looks you in the eye, and smiles the warm smile of a loving father.

“Maybe spend a little less time worrying… and a little more time talking to Me. You do not have to worry about saying too much. It is my joy to carry your burden.”

Your eyes sting. You don’t speak.
But something in your chest cracks open…
And you realize you’re not alone on this road.

You’re in good company.

Thomas hands you the bread and the cup. “Take, eat… for this is His body broken and poured out for you.”

He grins, and adds “Let it remind you that whether you walk in boldest faith… or weakest doubt, His love for you remains unchanged.”

Jesus places a hand on your shoulder and points to the long narrow path ahead.

“Come. Let’s see what tomorrow will bring.”

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This blog is a part of our ministry, GoodLion Ministries, where we seek to point all people back to the God who is not safe, but is very good. Our desire is to do this ministry full time, including writing, podcasting, preaching, and running a local School of Discipleship for young adults. We are tentmakers as we work towards this goal. If you’d like to support our work, you can do so here.

Inspired By:

John 19:26–27 & John 20:1–2

Joshua 7:6–9

Hebrews 11:30–34

Matthew 14:28–31; Matthew 26:33–35, 69–75

John 21:9–19

Luke 9:23; Philippians 1:29

Romans 8:17–18

1 Peter 5:7

Jude 1:22.