Seeing is Believing... right?

Some thoughts provoked by a stirring sermon on Father's Day...

Seeing is Believing...

It's a common expression. It's a common way of life. Walking by sight. In fact, it seems to be the most socially acceptable way of life. Nothing wins the approval of the masses like following the herd, drifting with the currents of conventional wisdom.


The reverse holds true, too, though. Nothing draws such fierce criticism as breaking from the herd, or rowing against the current. When we "walk by faith, not by sight" - our actions won't make much sense to those who are walking by sight. In fact, they may see our actions as "irresponsible", "immature", "careless".


How did Abraham's actions look to his community? He "went out, not knowing whither he went...". His actions may have appeared "irresponsible" to his community. What about later when he offered Isaac? His actions may have appeared "cruel" and "uncaring" to others.


How did Gideon's actions look to his community? After raising a good-sized army, he sent most of them home. Then he armed the few he had left with lanterns and trumpets. His actions may have appeared "careless".


What about George Mueller? He took in orphans with no plan of feeding them - apart from prayer. And everybody knows you can't eat prayers. His actions may have appeared "irresponsible", "careless", "immature".


What about my husband? He's done some things that others see as being irresponsible, immature, careless, even foolish. Like working with bus kids who (everybody knows) will eventually drop out of church and live a wicked life just like their parents. Like giving his children to God instead of grooming them for "real" paying jobs. Like sending his children to Bible school with no scholarships, no loans, and no visible means of paying the tuition - apart from prayer. Like discipling the sort of down-and-out people who will obviously never change. Like obeying in these things in the midst of criticism... and bearing it with grace.


What a privilege to walk hand in hand with a man who "believes to see", who "walks by faith and not by sight". What a privilege to witness firsthand the faithfulness of God to him. What a wonder to see the fruit of a faithful man following a faithful God all these years down the road.

I had fainted, unless I had BELIEVED TO SEE the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13