If you know me, you know my world has been surrounded, if not engulfed, by music. Growing up, I can still recall the static and buzz of the car AM radio, with my dad tuning in to the sounds of country legends like Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Buck Owens, Roy Orbison, and, of course the King, Elvis Presley. There was also a splash of Southern Gospel blending into the mix. Country, Rockabilly, real people, real instruments, these were the sounds that shaped me. I’m certain there were some baseball games on that station, as well.
I love good music, really, any style or genre, as long as it’s good. And I believe that, even if someone isn’t musically trained, we all have an innate ability to appreciate and enjoy it. Of course, what makes music “good” can be subjective, but that’s a conversation for another day. What I find fascinating is how we often cherish the rawness of music created before the digital age took over. There’s something authentic about hearing a note slightly out of pitch, or a beat that’s just a little off. Today, we’re so accustomed to perfect recordings, perfect performances, so perfect that organic imperfections might seem wrong or out of place. But if we pause to think about it, those imperfections remind us of real, human experience. Music that’s organic, with all its flaws, feels more alive and genuine than something heavily manipulated to sound flawless.
This brings us to a question we all face in our modern world: What is real? With the rise of artificial intelligence and endless voices vying for our attention, it’s easy to become skeptical. Who can we trust? What is truth? Yet, as believers, we have a foundation that is undeniably real, centered on the story of Jesus Christ. Even after Easter, His resurrection remains a powerful affirmation of faith. It’s a story that continues to unfold, even in our doubts and questions. And like Thomas, who needed to see for himself, we sometimes wrestle with what is truly real. In John’s Gospel, we read about Thomas:
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
—John 20:24:291
Can you imagine? Even someone who walked with Jesus, saw His miracles, heard His voice, still doubted. Thomas’s doubt wasn’t born from a lack of experience but from the influence of a world that often whispers, “Is this real? Can you trust it?” His story reminds us that doubt is part of the human journey, even for those closest to Jesus.
So, I invite you today: step back from your current perception of reality, whether it concerns a person, a situation, or your own doubts, and ask yourself, “Is this truly what’s real? Or are other voices influencing my perspective?” The truth is, Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection are real, not just in religious doctrine, but in recorded history and scientific evidence. We can believe in what Christ did for us because it’s grounded in fact as much as faith.
This week, when doubt creeps in, like it did for Thomas, try this: imagine those nail-pierced hands and the side of Jesus. Remind yourself that it really happened. And perhaps, you’ll be the one to point someone else to that same truth. Be the hands and feet of Jesus, helping others see the most real story ever told.
Blessings on you this week, as we continue to celebrate our risen Christ, who is forever real and alive in us.
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—Book of Common Prayer2
Luke Gambill 