Have you ever noticed the various words used to describe or give value to the idea of faith in the Bible? Some folks had “little” faith, while others had “great” faith. Others had a faith that “had not been seen in all Israel,” while others had “no” faith. Some had a faith that “made them well” or “saved,” while others’ faith was bound by “doubt.” No matter what the designation is, one’s perspective about faith and the process that it is will be the determinate factor in the various designations of faith. In other words, what you bring to the process of faith will often determine the ability of your faith to grow and produce great fruit.
Recently, my children and I went to Joshua Tree National Park in California. Inside the park is a place called Hidden Valley, which promises great views, unique wildlife and beautiful vegetation. It was also one of the few places in the park where one had to park his car and hike in, which makes sense. It wouldn’t rightly be “Hidden Valley” if you could drive through it.
We definitely wanted to see it, but that meant we had to hike, which would not have been a problem had we not hiked four other national parts in the three previous days. As we got out of the car and looked at the trailhead and at the trail that led up, up and up through rugged and rocky terrain, the kids let out a sigh and verbally wondered whether or not the journey would be worth it. As we started up, they groaned. About half way up, they became agitated. However, when we reached the crest and rounded the last of the boulders to survey the landscape, which was more amazing than promised, those grumblings were wiped away by the inexpressible wonder at the awesomeness of the scene before us, created by the cataclysmic collision of two tectonic plates on the San Andreas Fault.
Once at the top and viewing those moments of awe and silence, I asked the kids, “If you knew that it was going to be this good, do you think you would have complained as much about the journey?” Of course, their answer was a resounding, “No.” When their view was limited and all they saw was the difficulty of the trail and the accompanying dust, sweat and even a little blood, they tended toward negativity, complaining and a desire to turn back. When they could see the end, however, it all changed.
Part of faith is the perspective we bring. If our faith has a vision and a desire to see the end with God in eternity, then our current situations, no matter how rocky or rough, can be overcome. If we can peer over that earthly horizon to that heavenly bliss, then the current unrest, distress and distractions will be diminished, if not disappear.
So, let your quality and journey of the day be established by the view of spiritual things and that skyline of eternity, rather than your world-bound situation, either good or bad. You will find that your week will be far better, produce less stress, and you will have peace. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV). For prayer power, pray through these verses and ask God to give you clarity of spiritual sight and to strengthen you in your spiritual journey.
