a kingdom built of seeds

In a film I recently watched, there was a quote that resonated with me, especially during this time of uncertainty.

“Faith is 24 hours of doubt and one minute of hope.”

For everything we give, wait and hope for in faith, perhaps we see little immediate reward. In all of the current fear, anxiety and unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s difficult to find the light. Does faith produce hope? Sometimes. Often, there seems to be no visible change in the midst of our faith. Often, hope is not instantly increased.

It is not for us to know when and where the light will show itself. In faith we surrender our desire to know how the promised light will be revealed. In hope we believe it will be revealed.

Some of us may feel distant and isolated from the greater effects of this pandemic. It is easy for those of us who are comfortable and secure in our own health and well being to misunderstand or disbelieve this desperate definition of faith. It might only be understood by those of us who are afraid, vulnerable, or even sick with the disease.

Is this definition of faith not perfectly, agonizingly captured in that moment of the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and in the garden, “Father, if you are able, take this cup from me. But let your will, not mine, be done.” The light did not show itself in these moments. It did not show itself in the pain and loneliness of the cross, in the blood and sweat and tears of the garden. It did not show itself in the false accusation and betrayal and abandonment, in the undeserved, unjust punishment.

However, the light was ultimately revealed through it—the pain, suffering, darkness, death. The moment of faith Jesus had in his Abba did not change the moment itself; hope did not realize its vision immediately. In the surrender to all that was contrary to faith and hope was light begotten. Jesus’ faith begot trust, and trust, obedience; even in faith, trust, and obedience, he still experienced pain and suffering, even death. But his death begot life, resurrection, and finally, hope.

Faith is immovable trust in the Person, not the outcome. Hope is knowing that the now unseen light will one day be made visible, and that His promises will come to pass.

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