Living For the Unseen by Elysia

What gives a missionary the strength to do what she does?  Or what about a Christian, for that matter?  What gives him the vision to persevere through many trials and the grievous nature of this fallen world?  We cannot persevere because we are strong.  The fact is that many Christians are NOT strong.  We are weak.  We cannot do what we do as missionaries, leaving the comforts of home, and sacrificing a lot, just because we have zeal.  The zeal probably will not be able to get us through the times of illness, persecution, and loneliness. We put our hope in God, who is invisible, yet the worlds were made by Him. We put our hope in a God who has cancelled the power of sin and of death, and given us resurrection power and a life to come in heaven forever.  We are living for the unseen.  2  Cor. 4:16-18, 5:1,7  "Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.  For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens....For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Practically every part of our faith is fueled by the promises of God and the evidence of things that are invisible. Consider this list:

eternal life,

forgiveness of sins,

heaven,

God,

the second coming of Christ,

justification,

sanctification,

glorification,

prayer,

witnessing to someone who appears to show no interest,

walking in the Spirit.

Is there one single thing on this list that is in any way visible with human eyes?

These things are only visible unless God chooses to reveal these things to us, which He has done in various ways in times past and present.  Yet though we do not see, we live because God is alive and He lives in us.  He is real and has given us a living hope through Jesus Christ.  Jesus said to his disciple Thomas after He had risen from the dead, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29  When I read this story about Jesus and Thomas, I am touched by Jesus' compassion for the disciples when He saw their unbelief.  He gave them physical evidence of His life by encouraging them to touch Him and put their hands in His side and in the nail holes on His hands.  He doesn't let them off the hook, though.  "...He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen." Mark 16:14  Jesus had a deep heart of compassion to see His disciples walking in faith, not in doubting or unbelief.  

Truly, these disciples took what they saw and brought the message to the world, turning the world upside down with their message of hope through Jesus Christ.  John bore witness to Jesus Christ when he shared Jesus' message with the world around him.  John said, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us--that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full."  I John 1:1-4

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  Hebrews 11:1

Mothers, do not give up because you do not see evidence for your labor (I am speaking to myself here). "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Gal. 6:9 Missionary!  Do not be tempted to look at your present difficulties and perceived lack, because God has promised that "You have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.  Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise..."  Heb. 10:34-36 We must look at something greater than what is available in this world.  I am so tempted every time I come back here to America by the practical desire for an American house.  I know it is petty and fleshly, but I sort of long for a house and a "normal" life.  I am tempted to look up the real estate section in the newspapers or on the internet.  Yet, God has shown me His PROMISES over and over again to address this temptation.  I meditate on His promises when these temptations arise.  Promises like Psalm 17:13-14, Psalm 37, Psalm 73, Luke 18:29-30, and Matthew 6:19-21 that tells us to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."  We are pilgrims in this world, and God has given us a heavenly reward.  We have a High Priest who has gone through everything we go through, and suffered on our behalf.  He has promised us with compassion in His heart, "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys,  For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Luke 12:32-34

Keep your eyes on Jesus, keep your eyes on heaven, keep your eyes on things above, not on earthly things. Live for the Unseen.  "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."  I Tim. 1:17