Do you ever think about what you can’t see? What we ‘can’t see’ is common content in Scripture. Prophecy. Angelic orders. Demonic legions. Heaven. Eternity. Faith, itself, is defined as ‘the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’. (Hebrews 11:1, KJV) We live in a layered world as spiritual beings in physical bodies. There’s plenty that ‘is’, but not seen.

As Spirit-filled believers, we are privileged with a small and wondrous glimpse of what God is doing and what He has in store, but the entirety of God’s plan –in all it’s intricacy and beauty- has not yet been fully revealed. There is a certain, perfect clarity of spiritual perception that we temporarily lack in the flesh. The Apostle Paul was favored with divine revelation and ‘caught up to the third heaven’ where he heard words not lawful to be uttered. But, even he admitted to a yet-partial knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 12:2-3). He said, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (I Corinthians 13:12, NIV) Can you imagine? The glory of God that we will someday experience in direct vision will be so bright that all earthly notions of His glory will pale in comparison. This eternal radiance has always been and will always be; we just can’t quite see it all from where we’re standing. But, we will.

Since the Fall, it’s been man’s nature to question our “invisible” God – to question His goodness, His will and even His existence. We don’t see his face looming over us in the clouds and so we doubt. Many have struggled with the reality of things indiscernible with the eye. In a terrible irony, the created denounces its Creator. God’s radiance, which never dims for even a moment, is altogether dismissed by unbelieving souls who demand immediate, empirical evidence of His existence. But, God has made Himself known – in His followers, in His creation, in His Word, and boldly so in His Son and Spirit. But, those who refuse to know ‘in part’ and wait patiently for full disclosure forfeit a life of thrilling intimacy with a personal God.

For now, we have partial-vision. We have to exercise a little faith in a competent and caring Heavenly Father. We may not see His face looming in the clouds, but we’re looking beyond clouds with eyes of faith and settled hearts. Ironically, the more faith we exercise, the clearer His face becomes “for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, KJV)

By faith, we understand that our loving Lord is at the helm with calculating hands. Sometimes, that may mean hardship in the name of a greater good or trials for refinement. Sometimes, sin must run its course as consequence. So, hold on, because it is hardship that is often misunderstood in partial-vision. But, no matter what the unexpected twist of life, we can rest in Scripture’s promise that ‘all things work together for good to them that love God’ (Romans 8:28).

It is exciting to consider that in some enlightened future moment, we will understand how that promise was manifest in our lives. All of it – every moment- will make so much sense to us in the light of eternity. However, until that day when the hidden things are all lay bare, our challenge is to keep moving forward in faith unwilling to turn away from the constant beauty of our God.

For we walk by faith, not by sight…(2Corinthians 5:7)

Liz Miller lives in Daphne with her husband Matt and son, Logan. She looks forward to responding to your thoughts, prayer requests and guest speaker invitations, please write to millerfam3@hotmail.com.