Start believing again

Matthew 21:22 (ESV)

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

Sometimes the most amazing things we discover in life aren't learned by textbook. They are studied over a period of time.

They simply appeared.

You ever take a minute to notice a little child sitting on Santa's lap. His innocence. His smile.

You ever wonder what is going through his mind.

He's looking at a big hairy old man dressed in a red suit. That close he must see the line of the beard. He must see the white painted eyebrows and that when Santa speaks the mustache doesn’t even move all that much.

So, what is it that makes a child still go through the motions of believing in Santa.

Perhaps he has learned to suspend reality when faced with such things. Like super hero powers that makes a man leap to the top of a tall building.

You know it can't be done, but still a child believes.

Because he wants to? Maybe. Maybe he wants it to be true so bad that he forgives.

That's it. He's learning to suspend reality and forgive.

Of course, maybe, he's afraid not to believe in case somehow it just might be true.

Then one day it all disappears. The childish beliefs. The untarnished hopes and dreams suddenly vanish leaving behind the unforgiving, not convinced, not buying it, adult.

"You lied to me about all those things I thought were true as a child, why should I believe in anything as an adult?" One might say.

Along that same time in childhood, we begin to understand that God doesn't heal all sick people. God doesn't keep your old dog from dying. Just because you prayed for Grandpa doesn't mean he will live forever.

So, how do we work our way through all of this?

"I'll believe it when I see it," becomes the way.

Until one day when nothing is working. Until one day when you are faced with a crisis you cannot explain. Perhaps you are cornered and feel trapped. Maybe it appears you have lost everything and that reality that you bought into all those years suddenly becomes unbearable.

It's time to believe again.

This is where it all turns around.

Change "I'll believe it when I see it" to "I'll see it when I believe it."

God may not appear to those who do not believe still He is there for them.

God cannot be touched or held in your hand, yet all that He is can be found in the people around you, the world you live in and the heavens we explore.

Yes, my friend there is a God. You'll see Him when you believe in Him.

This Christmas, begin to believe again. You'll find Him in a manger.

Dear Lord, we thank You that You are always there even when we don’t believe. Help us to share our believe with those You bring into our life. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.