We drove the forest road along the ridge of a mountain to see Five Points Vista.
We stopped to enjoy the other vistas as we drove along, but the farther we went, the less we could see in the distance. By the time we made it to the final viewpoint, the haze had totally obscured the mountains.
I read later that evening about the intense wildfires in California and wondered whether that caused the haze. Whether it was wildfires or pollution or some other phenomenon, the result was the same: I could not see the Guadalupe, Sacramento, Capitan, Jicarilla or Gallinas mountains the sign told me should be there.
Sometimes I experience the same phenomenon with God.
Whether a result of my own sinfulness, tough circumstances, or perhaps the unseen powers of darkness, the result is the same: I know God exists, but I cannot see him.
God’s word gives us a map to use in Hebrews 11. The writer starts with this truth: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (1). He then proceeds to give examples of figures in the Old Testament who exhibited faith when they had no physical evidence to believe: Noah, who built an ark without any idea what a flood was. Abraham who went when God said, “Go,” even though he had no idea where he was going.
When I encounter one of those hazy periods, I rely on “God’s signs” to reassure me that he is there behind the uncertainty. I continue to read the Bible and believe what it says, whether it feels right or not. For example, God is faithful (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 33:4, 119:90; Lamentations 3:23-4; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24 to name just a few verses). Sometimes I “borrow” faith from other Christian friends, asking them to pray for me. Other times I imitate the man who came to Jesus on behalf of his possessed son: “Lord, help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
Hopefully, the next time we drive that road, we will be able to see those mountains in the distance. But even if we cannot, they will still be there. As you travel with the Father, remember, he is there whether you can see him or not.