The Evidence of Things Not Seen

(Read Hebrews 11)

On Monday night, I had the opportunity to attend a concert featuring popular Christian bands. The guys in our group were from church. Some I know really well and the others I was looking forward getting to know better. That day, I was stressing out. I’d been swamped at work and we had to leave early in the afternoon. Then, I discovered that the band I really wanted to see wasn’t part of the show. On the ride home, I thought to myself, don’t be so skeptical, have faith in God’s plans. We had a fantastic time! Lot’s of lively brotherhood, witty conversations, and some incredible music.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

Even cooler than the bright lights, stories, and sounds were the conversations we had that night. I asked one friend (B) if he would mind sharing his story. (B) is a quiet, modest guy who is more like the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to him below the surface than I had ever imagined. (B) is also one of the administrative leaders at our church. We have known each other for almost four years and with his church background, I was really eager to not only hear his story, but to have him teach me things too.

“What is faith?” I asked.

(B) cited Hebrews 11 and over the next hour, proceeded to illustrate how his life is powered by this invisible substance. “We believe in so many things in life that we don’t really understand, but by faith, we understand.” All the central points in his entire life’s story led back to his unwavering faith. At first, I thought (B) was describing his journey, but I soon learned that God was telling the story through him.

“I knew about God at the age of 6,” he shared. “I heard about Him from my parents. They gave me a children’s Bible, that got a ton of use,” (B) added. He described how his faith grew from epic Biblical tails, Jesus’ fulfilled prophesies, Sunday school, and VBS.

“It was playing piano on Sunday night services in 9th grade that had a bigger impact on me.” His passive faith transformed into a service-oriented, leadership kind of faith. “I realized that I couldn’t touch Jesus’ scars, so I experienced Jesus through faith.”

“He who is in me is greater than he in the world.”
John 4:4

(B)’s faith was in full gear by the time he was in college. “I went through seasons of questions and doubts, but I never stayed there.” Being surrounded by other young adults comes with a package of temptations, but these challenges were confronted and rejected. “My grounding in faith helped me a lot,” he admitted.

I only wish I had the same foundation as (B) did when I attended college. I believed in God and that was about it. I didn’t see sinful behavior as darkness or faith as light. If it felt good, then it was OK. (B) continued to explain how he matured thanks to his girlfriend, now wife, and God through the Holy Spirit. He said, he had many Aha moments where he felt Jesus guiding his life. His faith in Christ allowed him to see the truth in things. C.S. Lewis pointed out, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it but because by it, I see everything else.”

At age 33 (B) developed a strong calling to serve God. Whether from his background or working in the historical section of a library reading faith stories, it planted a seed in him to become a full time pastor. He was a recently promoted, successful executive for a large commercial company. Not the normal time one would expect to leave that worldly glory to serve God. (B) didn’t listen to the world.

“I worked with a Christian woman whose husband also pivoted his life from an established secular career to Pastoring,” he said. “The spark kept growing within me.” Even (B)’s wife encouraged him to move forward. “She told me, ‘If God’s calling, you should do it. She has been a huge instrument of faith throughout our lives (B),” added.

Like most church leaders, (B) is also a great storyteller. In a warm, laid-back tone, he continued, “In the middle of the night, I awoke, sweating, overwhelmed with worries about our family’s financial future, my wife having to work full-time, having to move, etc…”
When you live your life based on faith and you rest your truth on His truth, you should never be surprised or underestimate how big God is.

“I felt a calming presence and a clear message telling me, I will be with you.” (B) said an incredible sense of peace came over him. It was the push he needed to go to seminary.

“I will be with you,” he repeated.

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8

Have worries? Look to God. He is always with you. Even in times of our greatest despair, God is there. Romans 8:38-39 tells us that there is nothing on earth or anywhere else that can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ. Mountain top or basement floor, we will never walk alone.

(B) went from a substantial salary, bigger house, and a cushy life to a life he didn’t recognize. Demonstrating more evidence of his faith, (B) said, “This new life was a lesson actually, God blessed us with it. The little things we learned, kept us going.” How did this change you, I wondered aloud.

“We became better stewards and we grew in our faith. It confirmed my calling.”

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 43:2

God promised Isaiah that He would be with His people through their trials, just like He is through ours. When our Creator holds our hands on a terrifying journey, it offers light, strength, endurance, and hope. God never leaves us.

“In 2010, I was bothered by a chronic sore throat that I thought was just an infection,” (B) said. He was treated with antibiotics but his condition didn’t improve. Eventually, a second opinion revealed that (B) had stage 4 throat cancer. “After having my tonsils removed, radiation, chemo, eating with a feeding tube, and losing 30lbs, it was a real test of faith.”

Jokingly, he told me, “I didn’t have time for cancer. I had a wife, two children — a family to support.” Lots of prayer and the Psalter helped him push on. When he prayed, (B) prayed for healing and that God’s will be done. Not a lot of people when facing a serious illness have the ability to trust their lives completely to God’s will. But his faith gave him endurance to fight his medical condition, reassurance that God loved him, and the knowledge that God is still working. God wasn’t distracted. He was with (B) during every coughing attack, every painful treatment, and every fearful night.

Faith can’t be seen, smelled, or touched, but the evidence of it can. Faith trusts God’s character and God’s promises, then acts in accordance with those conclusions. Many people have faith, but it’s where we put our faith that matters.

Now, cancer free for more than 10 years, (B) acknowledges that there are no guarantees. With conviction, he said, “the story is not over.” Being friends with him, I can attest to his statement. (B) leads a life of faith. He leads with stories. He leads by example. He leads with meaningful conversations, and he leads with authenticity. He leads others by his faith.

(B)’s faith is built on everything Christ did and claimed to do. It is clearly evident. The story is not over.

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise.
Awake, my glory!
Awake, lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn.
Psalm 57

Key Application:

• Read Hebrews 11.
• Is your faith evident in your prayer life? Is your faith evident in your public life? When your faith is built on God’s promises, people will see it and know it.
• Pray this week that you will trust not doubt that God is with you.

Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.