We can't see, but we can SEE.

For we live by believing and not by seeing. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Most of our human belief comes from our physical sight. If we can see it, it must be true. How about believing what we CANNOT see? You cannot see the pay check that your getting on Friday, but you already have plans for it, you have it budgeted to pay bills you owe, buy some groceries, maybe go out to eat, see a movie. You know the paycheck is coming, because it always does. You cannot see the love your kids or your spouse have for you, but you know they do love you. How? Because they show it, they spend time with you., even when they don't have to:) Especially since your planning on going out to eat and see a movie this Payday Friday. We cannot see the TV, Radio, wireless "waves" floating around in the air, but we watch TV, listen to the radio, and receive the wireless signals that make our cell phone ring, or text message appear. So why is it so hard to "Believe" in God's love for us? No, we are not like Thomas, we cannot say: "I want to see the scars in your hands and side, and then I will believe". We don't SEE them with our physical eyes, but we KNOW He died on the cross for us. Why? Because He told us He did.

That old line: "You can't believe everything you see" comes to play here. I think. When your driving down a long hot roadway, how many "Ponds" do you see on the road in front of you? It looks like it has rained for months, there are little ponds, puddles everywhere. But we know they are not really there, they are just "mirage's" from the sunlight and the black hard surface of the road. So we have come to the conclusion we cannot always trust our eyes, and we filter these out. We know our physical eyes cannot always be trusted, and we accept that, it is just part of life.

In the same way, can we rely on our hearing? As I get older I have lost some of the hearing in my right ear. I have started turning on the "words" on the TV instead of turning it way loud and disturbing my neighbors. Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night, saying "What was that"? I sometimes do, and it is usually my cat getting into the garbage, again.

My point is, that we cannot even trust our senses, always, so why is it so hard to "believe" with our "beliver"? We all have senses we cannot understand, a Mothers sense that her children are in trouble, that sense that someone is watching you, that hair on your neck kind of feeling when you feel something creepy. No one can explain these feelings, but they are real. I believe these un tapped senses are what God uses to reach us. That feeling that you are a sinner and need to confess, (that is the Holy Spirit) the feeling that God, the maker of the well everything, loves you more then anyone. Yes, emotions, feelings, that is how God talks to us. Emotions, and feeling are made fun of a lot, by those that understand them, like Men. Men, in TV shows and movies will make fun of women and their "touchy-feely" feelings, I know I have, sorry ladies. But our emotions are what makes us Human. Can you see God's love for you? Of course not, just as we cannot see the love our family has for us. BUT, just as we know our Mom loves us, God shows us, and He is telling us constantly.

If we based our lives, our love for God only on what we see, there wouldn't be much believing, would there? When is the last time you saw Jesus Christ in person having a cup of coffee at Starbucks? No, not a weirdo dressed as Jesus, but the actual Son of God? It is easy to believe when we see something isn't it? BUT that does not always mean it is real. Our eyes, ears, and other senses can be fooled, very easily. I mean that is how magicians make money, they fool our senses.

Feelings, they are very important to us. There are good feelings, bad feelings, "So-So" feelings, and then there are God feelings. The emotions of Love, Peace, Trust, His Faithfulness, His presence, His Spirit, that we can feel when we start to worship and invite Him into our presence. God shows up when invited, He brings His Strength, His Love, His Peace, His Assurance, His Power, His KNOWING that ALL WILL WORK OUT ACCORDING TO HIS WILL>

Now, I have stated that emotions are an important part of our relationship with God, and this is true. BUT what comes next? Emotions will only take us so far. There are many religions based almost solely on emotions. But what about when your home and it's dark and your by yourself and the despair starts to come back, the "how will I pay this months rent?", the: "What about my Cancer that the doctors say is incurable?" What about the depression that is so deep it almost kills you by itself? You cannot get emotional no matter how hard you try. That is when quiet, reverent, praise, study of God's word, deep thinking through His wisdom is in order. Yes, emotions are important in our worshiping of God, BUT, there is a deeper, worshiping of Him, but there is so much more. When all we have is the emotions, there is no room for growth. There is only one way to grow in the Lord, ask. Ask God for more, for a deeper relationship with Him. And then buckle your seat belts, because He will answer. God will start to invade every part of our lives and start to become much more then ever before. Our desire of more of Him will deepen, He will start to be more and more important to us. Not just the loud praising, singing and shouting but the quiet praising, seeking and listening.

Don't always trust what you see, don't always trust what you feel, But live by BELIEVING He is our God.