“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” —Hebrews 11:13
That’s rough. Many faithful people have died without seeing their earthly hopes fulfilled. That will happen to most of us in some areas of our lives. Places we don’t see, careers we never get to try, creative things we never have a chance to finish…it would seem so tragic if there wasn’t a much bigger picture.
We are pilgrims passing through this world. Our faith is based on what we know to be true in the spiritual realm and what lies beyond the physical world. Faith is SEEING the invisible, knowing the impossible is possible.
For example, I have seen Jesus Christ—in prayer, in the Word of God, in my brothers and sisters, my wife, and my children.
1 Corinthians 13:12 reminds us that “for now we see in a mirror, dimly.” Now I see Jesus through my faith. I hear His voice every day as He demonstrates that “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Someday, I will see Jesus in heaven up close, in person. I will have all my hopes and dreams fulfilled beyond anything I can imagine.
Being a Christian is a paradox. We see that which is invisible. We hear what is inaudible. We are taught to humble ourselves so that we can be lifted up. We die so that we may live.
It seems upside down, but I believe the world has turned everything upside down, and walking by faith helps turn everything right side up.
“We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV).
