I have never seen the northern lights.  Have you? A friend posted of going to chase the northern lights, saw them, and stated that she can’t wait to go chase them again. We know northern lights exist.

I have never seen rice fields. I have only heard about them. I know they exist. They are on my bucket list – maybe one day.

What have you heard about, that exists, yet you have never seen?

I have never seen God. I believe God exists.

The resistance to believe in God, and in Jesus, God made flesh, has existed throughout the ages. God, rich in love, and purpose, delights to make himself known.  The northern lights, that burst open our hearts with awe, invite belief. The varieties of grain, grown in various ways, around the world, invite belief. The Bible says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

I have never seen Jesus in flesh. Oh, I have seen him in the Bible, and I have seen his work in my life, and witnessed lives of others changed on account of his saving work.  I have never seen him, yet I am not kept from believing. I know he exists.

When you see a person, whose life has been transformed by Jesus, it is much easier to go from hearing to believing. Today I am thankful for the people in my life who have more than talked about Jesus, they have lived Jesus. They have not shown me Sunday religion and ‘Pharisaical law’, rather they have shown me a relationship with the living Lord. They have shown me the beauty of Jesus and the goodness of following the words of the Bible. They have been the lights in the sky that have shone with brilliance, refining my faith and belief. They have been for me what Jesus said they would be.

“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept…If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you…on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

Thank someone today who has shown you Jesus and secured your faith - He exists! If you are having difficulty with belief, think of those things or people that speak his existence. May the delights of faith be yours. May all of us who believe shine as the northern lights with a brightness that draws others towards Christ in us. 

252: Come, Beautiful Christ

Come, beautiful Christ,
Radiate Thy beauty in me.
'Tis Thee I adore,
What can I ask more
Than to live for Thee, beautiful Christ.

Eternal God, without beginning and without end, show us the magnitude of your creation that witnesses to your existence.  Birth in us fresh exclamations of belief!  When moments of disbelief or question wash over us, show us your beauty and truth in the lives of those who live with you, Jesus. Come Spirit of the living God, radiate your beauty in and through us for the sake of others and for your glory. AMEN

Here is another song “So Will I” which speaks to the theme of today.  Worship with Cameron Rawlins and The Canadian Staff Band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFi57R2r0KM

With care and in prayer,