Faith In What We Do Not See
Would you rather listen than read? Listen here.
Seeking The Northern Lights
Last night, I ventured out into the dark with my husband and oldest daughter to see the Northern Lights. As we drove, the sky was thick with clouds. We drove up a winding dirt road to get away from the city lights. I stood outside, leaning against the car, staring at the starless sky. With my teeth chattering, I hoped for a glimpse of what we knew would be behind the clouds.
As we watched in hope, the clouds turned eery shades of green. Then, just when we thought we would see nothing, a bright green light flashed across the top of the mountain peaks. That was the extent of what we saw. I later saw pictures from the early morning hours of people across the state that saw beautiful shades of green and pink dance across the sky.
Marvels Of Creation
Watching the sky, I thought of all the others out watching the same sky, and hoping to get a glimpse of the stunning light show just beyond the clouds. I then wondered why everyone was so marveled at these lights? Yes, they are awe-inspiring, but we were all looking up at a cloudy sky, hoping to experience what we could not see.
So many people shared on Facebook their excitement and/or frustration at trying to see what they could not see. Yet, they still had faith, and knew the beauty that was just beyond the clouds. We have this same opportunity every day to have faith in God, the One we cannot see, but that seems ridiculous to so many.
God, who created the sun which creates these stunning views, is more beautiful than any light we can glean upon. He offers us beauty in more ways than our eyes could ever behold. God surrounds us with His creation as a preview of the glory we will experience in eternity. He invites us to have faith in Him, even when we cannot see. God invites us to come to the cross to meet His Son, who gave it all for us. He invites us to look beyond what is right in front of us to get a glimpse of what eternity could look like with Him.
Glimpses Of God
In Revelation, we get glimpses into the throne room of God. John describes colors beyond our imagination. He speaks of precious gems like jasper and rubies. John sees four angelic beings and the twenty-four elders circling the throne. We also read about a sea of glass that encircles the throne. Because we read of this sea of glass changing colors that mimics what happens on earth, many scholars believe this sea of glass is a window upon which God can look down upon His creation.
In Genesis, we read of a dome, firmament, space, or vault, depending on your translation. These same scholars would say dome or sky, is our side of this window.
“And God said, ‘Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.’”
Genesis 1:6 NIV
A Veil Between Heaven And Earth
The Hebrew word for vault we see here is רָקִיעַ rāqîaʽ which means expanse (of the sky or heaven); the space above the earth that holds visible objects: clouds, planets, stars. (BibleGateway.com) Matthew Henry says this Hebrew word signifies, like a sheet spread, or a curtain drawn out.
It makes me think of when I have heard people talk about the space or veil between Heaven and Earth growing thin. Referring to the moments we feel His presence the most. Thinking of such things puts me in reverence of God. Seeing the majesty of His creation, like the Northern Lights, puts me in wonderment of God. And watching someone grow in their faith with God puts me in awe.
Faith In What You Do Not See
I want to ask you a hard question. If you are one that can have faith that lights are dancing behind the clouds even though you cannot see them. Could you ask God to give you the faith to believe He, too, is present, even though you cannot see Him? Would you be willing to take a chance on the One who is even more beautiful and loves you beyond your understanding?
His Love Is Unconditional
I believe He looks down from heaven and smiles upon each one of us. He loves us unconditionally. God loves those who have accepted Him and the ones who have not. He loves those who are living trying to live a life worthy of Him and those who are encapsulated by sin. He longs for each one of us to have faith to believe, even when we cannot see.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
