Believing When You Cannot See

Believing When You Cannot See

Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him,

and He disappeared from their sight.

Luke 24:31

On Sunday afternoon, two of Christ’s followers were trudging down the road toward their village, discussing with each other the events of the weekend in Jerusalem.  Eventually a stranger joined them.  Seeing their melancholy, He asked, “What are you talking about?”  The two looked at their new companion in astonishment.  How could He not know?  Where in the world had he been?  Certainly not in Jerusalem!

They spoke to the stranger of their hopes and broken dreams; He replied by going back to Moses and worked His  way through Scripture as He explained the role of the Messiah.  When they reached their village, they urged Him to stay with them and He agreed.  All of this time, they saw no more in their companion than a dusty traveler.  But when they sat at table, and the stranger stepped into the role of His hosts by taking the bread and blessing it, they knew exactly who was seated with them.  And as their minds opened to the joyous knowledge, he vanished from their sight.

The struggles and strains of everyday life can blind us to the heavenly Presence all around us.  We question whether God is there, and His love and care for us.  Small things that unexpectedly go right are chalked up to good luck.  It is a struggle at times to just “see,” much less believe.

The next time you feel something positive moving in your life, look up to the skies and say, “I see you, Lord.  Thank you!”  Then keep looking.

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Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

The United Methodist Hymnal No. 451