I had to read these words then ponder them for some time. The story is found in Max Lucado’s work He Still Moves Stones. As you read, allow your imagination to picture this account.
[An] example of faith was found on the wall of a concentration camp. On it a prisoner had carved these words:
I believe in the sun, even though it doesn’t shine,
I believe in love, even when it isn’t shown,
I believe in God, even when he doesn’t speak.I try to imagine the person who etched those words. I try to envision his skeletal hand gripping the broken glass or stone that cut into the wall. I try to imagine his eyes squinting through the darkness as he carved each letter. What hand could have cut such a conviction? What eyes could have seen [the] good in such horror?
There is only one answer: Eyes that chose to see the unseen.[ref]Max Lucado, He Still Moves Stones (Dallas: Word, 1993), 168–69.[/ref]
Such words could be etched on many kinds of walls . . . prisons, hospitals, schools, homes, bedrooms, cars, fences, hearts, and, yes, even churches. Reason being, our eyes tend to focus on what is seen rather than what is unseen, and yet faith alone is belief in Jesus Christ, who is unseen, and His words to us. Remember what Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians?
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17–18 NIV)
An Essential Question for You
So now you must ask yourself: Is my faith established upon what I can see or on what God promises—which is usually something I cannot see? That’s one doozy of a question, yet it makes or breaks our faith. Two things to keep in mind:
- As Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:18, let’s make this our daily prayer: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you” (NIV). Why is this verse so valuable? Because Paul was asking the Lord to bring light to their SOULS—to their hearts so that faith would become real in their lives. May that be true for us who struggle with soul-blindness.
- Remember those who lived by faith highlighted in Hebrews 11? Though they could not see the end, the final outcome of what God called them to do, only faith—keeping their eyes on God alone—gave them the strength to obey.
Choosing to believe in Jesus Christ means choosing to live through all kinds of challenges with our eyes focused ONLY on Him and God’s Word.
Take Heart!
So how is your faith these days? Is there little light, little love, and even silence when you hoped for light, love, and interaction? Take heart, my friend; Jesus is present through it all and will give you the light needed as you focus on Him and walk in God’s truths every moment of every day.
Question: What helps you keep your eyes on God? You can leave a comment here.