Reality of the Unseen

How many times have I read Hebrews 11? So many times. I have heard it called “The Faith Hall of Fame” as it lists the faith of many saints of the Bible

Certainly it has spoken to me so many times in the past. But not too long ago, it didn’t just speak to me, it brought me to my knees. I began to weep the moment I read the first verse. If I had been standing instead of sitting, I would have fallen on my face.

“Now FAITH is the REALITY of what is hoped for, the PROOF of what is NOT SEEN.” Hebrews 11:1

“Now FAITH is the REALITY of what is hoped for, the PROOF of what is NOT SEEN.”

All of my hopes are real. And they are rooted in the reality of faith. Faith is proof. I don’t need proof beyond that. I just need faith. Faith is enough and represents the greatest reality, beyond what my eyes can see or my mind can comprehend. I believe this and I sense it. I so often live in this reality of faith and I want to live in it always and consistently, even if I live in it alone. I want to live in the ridiculous mystery of faith. And I do. I have. And I do. But I often I do not live in it confidently enough.

Lord, I believe your word and your promises. I believe in your nudging and promptings and visions. Even when they are too impossible or far-fetched or mysterious, I don’t need proof. I only need to trust you. And trust. And trust. And trust. Simply trust. I place all my hope in you. I don’t need proof. I don’t need to see. Faith is the reality and the hope. Faith in the mystery of who you are and what you do. This is Realer than anything that is seen or can be proven.

I will continue to live with this ridiculous faith. Even if. Even though.

My pain is great. I have believed and trusted for restoration and transformation for many things. And I will continue to trust - in good company . . .

“These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw from a distance, greeted them and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13

I long for true seeing in the spiritual realm, the thin space where faith becomes sight and all promises are fulfilled.

In the meantime, I will continue living in faith. I will proclaim and believe that ridiculous and impossible and mysterious visions and promises can come to pass, even here. Even in the land of the living. But even if I never see these things in the land of the living, I will cling to Hope. My hope and faith are secure in the reality of who God is. No proof is necessary.

May I die in faith regardless of what is seen or received.

I see that transformation and restoration in ridiculous proportions is real. It is who God is. It is what God does. I see. This world that my human eyes can see, with a very limited view, is not my home. My home is the place where faith becomes sight. Nothing does, can, or will make perfect sense here.

The ways of the Creator are higher and deeper and stronger than my ways. May I live with ease and confidence in the mystery of these ways, living and dying in faith.

One of the players in the Hall of Faith is Abraham. “He went out even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:9)

I don’t need to know the details. I don’t need to know any details. Details and numbers and logistics and practicalities and emotions don’t have to make sense. I don’t need details. Faith is enough! How can faith possibly not be enough for those who claim to have seen God? Why is it so counter to the Christian culture to possess and live in faith? We should be living in wonder, so no wonder people aren’t impressed.

I have believed in restoration without proof. Completely. Complete faith. No deficits - only faith. Only hope. Only grace and trust. Even without proof of trust.

And it has failed.

But this doesn't hamper my belief that redemption exists beyond what I see and experience in the physical realm. It is who God is and what God does and nothing and no one and no circumstance can take that from me.

I believe.

May I live and die in faith.

No matter what. In the midst of suffering, and disappointment and unfulfilled promises and visions and fears and pain and rejection and brokenness and disbelief, and dashed hopes and dreams… May I live and die in faith.

“The one who promises is faithful” Hebrews 11:11.