The Unseen Behind the Seen

Our exceedingly elderly TV was showing its age. We decided we needed a new one. We visited our local electrical appliance store, and chose one. Yesterday two pleasant young engineers fitted it.

We chatted. They said they’re from Ipswich. They discussed jobs they’d already done, jobs they were still to do. I asked if their employers were good to work for. They said that yesterday wasn’t a good day. One spoke about his daughter…

We now have a new TV with a picture that we can see clearly. Behind its fitting were two men whose lives I can’t see.

Yesterday evening we attended a concert at grandson-Luca’s school. The orchestra played, the choir sung, individual children performed solos. I enjoy children-watching – the self-conscious or embarrassed, the extrovert and dramatic, the conscientious and focused… We enjoyed all that we saw and heard.

In front of me a young dad in overalls looked as if he’d come straight from work. I watched him mouth all of the lyrics of one of the choir songs. He was word perfect. I made up my own story about his life. Behind each child that we saw is an unseen family.

This morning I read Hebrews 11, that starts: ‘Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’ It’s about people’s faith in their unseen God…

Feebleness (21) Jacob’s faith was with him when he was sick and dying… I get frustrated by what I used to do but can’t do now

Future (22) Joseph’s faith looked forward to an unknown future… I don’t know what tomorrow holds, regarding my family, friends or health… let alone 2026…

Fear (23) Moses’ parents’ faith overcame the fear of a powerful Pharoah… I can be anxious, fearful as I overthink what might happen…

Faith says that behind the life that I can see, is a God that I can’t see. Today I choose to trust this God with my feebleness, future and fears… and all that I can’t see.