I'll Believe It...When I See It

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Faith is a funny thing. To us, the human species, it is one of the defining characteristics of those people that have literally ‘changed the world’. For those who don’t have it, it can be one of those, “I just don’t get why I’m not happy and successful” revelations. Either way, it is instrumental in manifesting your dreams, goals and desires.

I have a cousin (Larry Tinker) who several years ago shared an insight that illustrates this perfectly. During a sermon, he stated, “Life is lived forward; but understood backwards.” When looking backwards, hindsight is always 20/20. You can see the perfection of instances and happenings in your life that make total sense seen from the present backwards. It’s as if there could be no other way to be where you’re at were it not for the series of people, places and things that were part of it all coming together to experience “now”. This unfortunately is NOT faith. This is called “I’ll believe it when I see it” faith. It is an observation of the events backwards and justifying how ‘perfect’ it all was after the facts.

Faith is seeing and believing a future time, place or accomplishment before it ever happens as real as if it were now. It is not hoping or wishing but knowing with every fiber of your being that you have accomplished your dream even if the world doesn’t see it yet. There are several components of Faith that are necessary such as Faith in God, country, company, family, etc. The most important faith that is needed is also the one that makes the difference of achievement or not. That is faith in yourself. With it, anything is possible as you are cause in the matter. Without it, nothing is possible (except whichever way the winds of life blow you because poor you had no choice). The best explanation I’ve ever heard of how this truly works is revealed in the following story.

A bit North of Chicago in the Winter Wonderland called Wisconsin there lived the all-time greatest Green Bay Packer fan in the history of the NFL. He lived, breathed and ate all things Packer's. He was such a fanatical fan, he bled Green and Gold. In 2010 when his beloved Packers made it to the Super Bowl, he had a hunting accident on the eve of the big game that left him unable to watch it. Wanting to savor every minute of the game, he told EVERYONE who knew him, not to let him know what happened so he could experience it firsthand via having the game recorded.

When he awoke from his emergency surgery, he was prepped and ready to watch the Great Aaron Rodgers hopefully lead his Pack to the Championship of the football World. With a brat in one hand, string cheese in another and a cold brewski on the side, he was ready to go. Just as the game kicked off, an unknowing Nurse came into his room and seeing the game on the TV shrieked, “Ya der hey. You’re watching the Pack pummel those sorry Steelers and win again?!” Nooooooo, he exclaimed, but it was too late. Knowing the end before it started took all the excitement out of watching the game because no matter what happened, he knew his Pack would win.”

That is faith. Knowing who’s going to win before the game even starts. The rest is just what and how it happens. No emergencies…freaking out…over celebrating…deep depression…you’ve already won; chill out already. Believe it and then you’ll see it.

Now, if only someone would share this with Da Bears?!

Believe…