Things Unseen

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

 “...We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

We live in a world where instant gratification is the name of the game. We want what we want and when we want it.  It is all too easy to compromise, give a little, it’s not that big a deal right?! Recently I felt God leading me to the altar, much like Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son. The very son the Lord was so gracious in giving him at an old age. Abraham had such confidence in the Lord who ultimately provided another sacrifice instead. 

 …

Just a typical work week lunch break at my favorite salad/sandwich place downtown. I had just ordered my Acai bowl and sat at a long table. I got out my Kindle excited to read. I open it up when this cute guy walks up to my table and asks if he can sit here. “Sure” I replied (I mean hey I’m a nice person, go ahead and sit where you want haha)! We talked over lunch, he asked for my number, I gave it to him, he suggests dinner sometime, I say “I’d be open to that.” (Very affirming Kim lol! Try not to sound too excited!) 

 I have more fun than I’ve had in months. I lose all productivity in my weekends (The true sign Kim is into someone-when man takes precedence over laundry haha!). We go to restaurants I’ve never been to.  No expense is spared. He opens my car door, takes my hand walking on the side of traffic. 

My heart keeps nagging me. Kim you need to talk about this. Ok ok I will...eventually. Can’t I just enjoy life right now? Finally I rip the bandaid off…

“Soooo I’m a Christian.” 

 

 

(….pause) 

 

“Ok...and I...respect your beliefs.” 

 

And with that I should have walked away. I should have (with confidence!) known that this was not God’s best for me, but I did not end it immediately. Later we had more conversations and it was glaringly obvious that this was a deal-breaker. 

I always thought it wouldn't be that hard to walk away from someone who was not a believer. It’s not until it’s a real person when the challenge becomes immensely harder. Especially when you've been in quarantine for months. To my eyes he is the seen. The tangible. He was successful, I knew I could live a comfortable life with him, 2 kids and a Range Rover, traveling to lots of fun destinations. Not too bad right?

It is one thing to give up something when there is a clear tangible alternative. If there was this amazing Jesus following man right next door then it would be much easier. But that is not the case. The reality is to give him up for the thing that is unseen. For my hope in the Lord. For my trust that obedience to Him is truly what is best. 

 

Lately my prayers have been this, “God, in my head I know that your ways are best. But my experience has shown me otherwise. Everything around me shows me your ways are not best. Help me to trust in the things unseen. Help me to have vision to see the things that are unseen so that I may have hope.” 

 

When praying this I think about Elisha in this passage from 2 Kings 6:15-17:

 

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

  “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

 

This theme is actually found many times in scripture. The difference between seeing as men see and seeing as God sees. 

 

“Jesus says that many won’t understand his parables because they have been blinded to the truth. Paul says in 2 Cor. 4:4 that, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ...” As Jesus died on the cross, he prayed, “Father forgive them for they do not know [they do not see] what they are doing” – Jesus saw God’s plan, but those who nailed him to the cross were blind to what God and what they were doing. As Stephen was stoned to death, those who killed him couldn’t see what Stephen could see – they were blinded to God’s reality – but Stephen had the face of an angel as he saw the glory of God as (for him) the ever-reigning heavenly court was superimposed over the temporary and sham earthly court.” (Matt Stone, sermon link here)

 

In my own sight, I see what is seen. My experience and the things around me make it feel like I made the wrong choice. Right now rejecting the seen means I won’t go out this weekend. Right now rejecting the seen means no one texting me “how’s your day going?” Right now rejecting the seen means I’ll watch the movie alone tonight. (Ok so I know it doesn't sound thatttt bad...but again, I've been living and working alone in quarantine for months...Any human contact is extremely desired at this point.)

 

What is God calling you to bring to the altar? Is it finances--money saved for a big trip that will be used for missions instead? Is your time-you’d rather spend hanging out at the pool than serving your community? Or is it a relationship-you know it is not God’s best but it “makes you happy” right now? 

 

When, and only when I look to God am I able to see the unseen. The unseen is NOT the promise of a future spouse. God does not owe me one because I am obedient. (And that is hard to type, because I would love God to provide a spouse if that was His best for me) 

 

The unseen is the promises God has given us. The hope in eternity with Christ. The belief that “no good thing does He withhold.” The truth that this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison!” 

 

Is this easy? No. 

When choosing the unseen means “momentary discomfort” it is not easy. We are so prone to wander. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m writing this mostly so I can read it over and over to preach to my heart. Some days I read Psalm 42 over and over and over again partly in lament and asking my soul why it is downcast and telling it to put hope in God! Some days I take out my jar of Ebenezer stones and remind myself how faithful God is and how far he has brought me. Some days I talk with friends to be reminded of God’s promises. With tears in my eyes I cry out asking the Lord to “sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope” (Psalm 119). 

In all these things I seek to have my eyes truly opened.  And that is my hope and prayer for you-that the Lord may open your eyes to his truth. 

I want to see the unseen more clearly than the seen.  

"Be My Vision" by Planetshakers. Good song!

Take this life

Let glory and majesty flood my eyes

Lord, overwhelm me till all that I want and all that I see is You

Step by step Jesus I'll follow You

Breath by breath Lord I will worship You

Burn in my heart till all that I see is You!