Seeing is Believing?

When you see images on your phone, computer, or television, do you automatically assume they’re real?

My guess is that you don’t. Not anymore.

Maybe some can tell the difference between AI-generated and real images. I don’t know. . . but AI is getting so good at creating images and videos we need super-scrutiny, or another AI, to help.

We’re losing our reliance on the adage, “Seeing is believing.”

Speaking of believing, humanity’s cry throughout millennia been something like, “God, I want to see you.”

Behind the ask lurks an unspoken, “Then I’ll believe you.”

Even the great old master, Moses, asked God to show himself. “Show me your glory,” he said. In other words, “I wanna see you. I wanna see if you’re for real.”

Did he expect a great light? Thunder? A whirlwind? Maybe. But guess what he got in reply.

Wait for it.

It’s worth the scroll…

God’s reply:

“I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence.” (Exodus 33:19a)

Goodness! Gracious!

God’s glory is his goodness. His good name. His reputation. His character.

But wait. (Insert record scratch sound here.) Does God have a bad rep with you?

Have you judged Him as not being good?

Before you answer, let me share a story.

A little girl, we’ll call her Zoe, chased a beautiful butterfly through a meadow. She ran her fingers through the waist-high flowers swaying in the breeze and giggled as birds flew up from their hiding places in the grass.

A sharp burst of pain and she fell to the ground, pulling her foot into her lap. Ouchy pangs drew her attention to a puffy red circle, and in the very center, a tiny black thorny-looking thing with a fleshy bit of goo on its end.

Mama caught up to Zoe and, seeing the problem, bent down. “You got stung by a bee.” Mama removed and held the stinger for Zoe to examine.

By now, Zoe’s entire foot throbbed in pain. She couldn’t bear to put weight on her foot. Tears wet her hot cheeks as she reached for her mother’s arms. “Carry me?”

Mama lifted Zoe and held her like a baby. “Let’s get you home, I know just how to make this feel better.”

As Mama carried Zoe toward home, Zoe frowned at the meadow.

“I hate that bee,” she grumbled. “I hate that meadow.”

Did the bee deserve Zoe’s hatred? How about the meadow? Or was her response, childlike and simple, normal even, in need of the bigger picture? Did Zoe have any idea that the bee, once shooting off its stinger in response to an offense, would then itself die?

Now let’s revisit the first question.

Does God have a bad rep with you?

Have you ever, in innocence and childlike simplicity, judged the Unseen that you blamed for your pain?

I have. I think maybe underneath my ongoing challenge to fully trust God are a thousand forgotten moments when I was hurt but didn’t have the big picture, the whole story, the unseen reasons, the glory.

Even if I see Him at work in my life. . . even if I see His face in the Shroud of Turin where scientifically unexplainable light etched and new DNA evidence presents an undeniable case. . . even if I read historical evidence of His miracles and resurrection in non-biblical Roman documents. . . even if I followed Him forty years through cloudy days and fiery nights. . . even if He’s spoken gently to my heart in countless times of connection. . . even then. . .

I discover another way I’ve misjudged His character and suspected He wasn’t good, or wasn’t real –or He never would let bad things happen.

God, help us of little faith. Help us move the mountains of lies we’ve stored up against You. Help us see You as You really are.

Cause all your goodness to pass in front of us and proclaim Your good name to us.

Stronger and smarter than any of us. Beyond the universe in comprehension, compassion and love. Ready. Willing. Able.

And help us get on with Your plans here on earth.