Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing.

We are just a few weeks away from Christmas, and I know for many of you, things might be a tad different this year. And I am not talking about COVID.

Some of you have lost loved-ones this year. Some of you are expecting new additions to your family.

Whatever the case may be, one of the things that probably has not changed for you this year is watching Christmas movies. Hallmarks. Disney. Classics. Whatever you like.

While watching one Christmas movie recently, I was struck by the line “Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing.”

In the story, a man becomes Santa Claus and during his first trip to the North Pole, he is talking to an elf named Judy. He says “I see it, but I don't believe it.” Judy responds with “Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing.”

Her comment was describing children's belief in Christmas, Santa, and the North Pole. She said that they don't have to see it to know it exists.

But you know, in John chapter 11 verse 40 it says, “Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God.””

Here, Jesus is about to raise Lazarus from the dead. Martha has just reminded Jesus that Lazarus has been dead for four days and there probably is an odor in the tomb. Not only is Lazarus definitely dead, but he would be gross.

Her reminder is proof that nothing quite like this had ever happened before. The belief that Jesus could bring him back to life had to precede the actual event.

This truth is relevant to us as well. Often we spout off that we need to see something in order to believe it exists. Another line from the aforementioned movie captures this sentiment, “Just because you haven't seen [a million dollars] doesn't mean it doesn't exist.”

On a smaller scale, and maybe a slight stretch, have you ever considered buying a car thinking you will be the only one with it?

Then you see it everywhere.

All the time.

That is the idea behind “believing is seeing”. Jesus is telling us that if we believe in Him we will see His glory.

God is at work all around us. He is doing some amazing things, but we are not looking for Him or believing in Him.

When you are all in on God, just like the new car, you will see Him everywhere because as Judy and Jesus said, “Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing.”

Anyway, I was just thinking...