Seeing is believing

"Seeing is believing" – you might just say it, right? We don't go by the things we don't see, do we? An attitude you encounter all too often, and if I am honest I see it in my own life as well. First things first!

In Hebrews 11 you read something quite different. Faith is not seeing first then believing, but believing first.

It is about truth.

Which, by the way, raises a question as old as the world. How do you know if something is true? Well, if you have to rely on yourself for that, it's kind of "small." You don't hold the truth, do you? But then, who does? Do you have to look for that on the flat surface? The earthly?

I think so, because on this earth, on this "flat surface," we can see the fingerprints of God everywhere. His greatness, His eternal power, and His Divinity. You can just see them. Look, you can rationalize a sunset, of course, but isn't it just magisterial? Or you can explain a newborn baby as purely the outcome of a biological process, but what do you feel when you take such a little one in your hands? Although you don't see God directly physically, you see His fingerprints all around you. Just look for them. Just look at them.

And, yes, remember that God's fingerprints around you are an invitation to be in direct relationship with Him. He wants to hang out with you, to speak to you. His name is "the truth," and He wants to make it known to you. That relationship with God could be called the vertical. Seek Him out. Ask Him. Invite Him in.

Back for a moment to "seeing is believing" and the question of truth. Truth lies in God.

I see a few options:

• You see and then you believe. Of course, you can add hold on to the "object" of your faith – God Himself. He is the solid ground under your "seeing.
• You believe and then you see. You put your trust in God and then you notice that He is there. This is similar to the verse from Hebrews, except that you have the privilege of already seeing it too. Hold fast to your faith!
• It can also be that you don't see and yet you believe. That's actually what Hebrews is all about. Hold that it is not up to your "seeing" whether something is true. And join those who have gone before you. Continue reading the chapter in Hebrews.

Read the first verses of Hebrews 12 again. So what may you see? Jesus! You may keep Him before your eyes at all times.

But we see Jesus!

Take the following questions to think about:

• Are you someone of "see first, then believe?" What do you notice about that?
• What is Jesus' invitation to you today?
• What do you see from Jesus/God today? What will you do with that?

Prayer: "Lord, You are everywhere. Will You help me to see You? Your fingerprints, Your works. And help me, when I see them, to thank and worship You. Lord, help me also to keep going when I don't see You for a while. Help me to believe firmly, knowing that the object of my faith does not change and is always strong - whether I see it or not. Help me to live this way today, Lord. Amen."