The Elephant of Invisible Truth
Seeing is believing. It’s commonplace these days, in some circles, to reduce reality down to that which can be perceived by the five senses. At times the temptation to question the idea that ‘that which is seen is temporal but that which is unseen is eternal’ is nearly too easy. The elephant in this particular room, a nagging question about what is really true, can appear to be more visible in my imagination than the invisible God I worship. Distractions abound, keeping me entertained a thousand different ways which also keeps me from addressing the ever-present elephant; an interloper which would prefer to remain undiscovered so as not to be evicted from its comfortable quarters in my heart and mind.
Yet I’m even more provoked when something quite outside of my will and control causes the elephant I’m so familiar with to seem somehow smaller. A new challenger emerges. Another elephantine contender has entered the ring of my thoughts, and this one asks a wiser question. When my heart is suddenly softened though I knew it to be an impossibility; when my anger gives way to love; when my fear inexplicably becomes trust - who is behind the scenes working all things together for my good? The invisible God all at once becomes more substantive than the questions for which I have demanded answers. When I see myself as He does, it seems I’ve been holding my own soul hostage until I get the answers which I think will bring peace. I put God on trial and try to convince Him to jump through hoops to win my trust. Instead, He gently lifts me out of my confusion and makes me more than merely sound. He makes me want to be good. He, Himself, becomes my peace and I find I have no questions left to ask.
Thomas would not believe Jesus had returned from the invisibility of death unless he was given the proof of feeling for himself Jesus’ nail-caused scars. Only what he could see and touch would suffice to be worthy of the name ‘truth.’ Jesus met Thomas in his fear and reluctance and spoke to a questioning heart which I would later inherit. His hopeful words echo across time and win the war for my affections (where once an immovable elephant sat) as he looks into Thomas’ eyes - my eyes - and says: ‘You have seen and so you believe. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet still believe.’ - Jae
