Most of my growing years were spent either in Jamaica with missionary parents or near my uncles' southern Indiana farm amidst corn, wheat & soy bean fields and cattle pastures. Uncle Ervin and Uncle Chris always kept a remarkable and intriguing tool handy in their Chevy pickups. I clearly recall fearfully & respectfully avoiding any contact with it whatsoever.    

Lying across the back of the bench seat was a long metal cylinder with two short prongs extending from one end. Even a brief battery-powered touch of those two little prongs could prompt an instant response from even the largest of cattle. 

I've found that many Christians have a cattle-prod view of God and life. Yet, it was never our heavenly father's intent for any of us to require the prodding and irritation of the devil's attacks to "steer" us toward God-the cattle-prod concept. Much like Thomas who required natural confirmation to aid his believing (I won't believe unless I see), some feel experiencing the attack and the distress is the most important part of their spiritual growth.

As Thomas' story illustrates, God is, however, far more interested in finding ...those who have not seen, yet have believed. Believers for whom the motivation to grow is simply the thirst within the heart instead of a desperation that intensifies based on the pressure of the moment. It is to worshipers, to whosoever is thirsty, that He declares, to him that is athirst COME...drink freely of the waters of life! Selah. \o/