DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Do You Believe What You See?
LENT DAY 6 of 40, © NaimaLett.com/blog



© Glamour/Joy Covers featuring Beyonce, June 2009

Do you believe what you see?

And all the Hollywood fam says in unison, “NO!”

Why? Because we know that magazine covers are photo-shopped to reflect the audience editors are selling to (see above), reality shows are staged and many celebrity relationships are set up by high-powered agents or managers to generate publicity for their clients, many of which have altered their appearances through enhancements and modifications. :=)

Jaded?

Are we jaded? Not really.

We just understand that our entire film and music worlds were initially built on finding talent and transforming them into international superstars that people would love and happily follow and consume products from for many, many years.

Think Barry Gordy and Motown’s artist development of taking 3 young singers from the Frederick Douglas projects in Detroit and creating The Supremes which produced Academy Award nominee Diana Ross. Or 20th Century Fox taking Norma Jeane Mortenson and creating screen siren Marilyn Monroe. Clive Davis’ presentation of Whitney Houston as the world’s greatest diva only fully unraveled when we painfully witnessed Bobby Brown’s reality show. What we originally see presented from the stage or screen is not always the truth.

Faith Not Based on Sight

Thank goodness our faith is not based on what we see. On this Lent Day 6 of 40, it’s a great time to reflect on Jesus’ encouragement that those who believe and have faith, not based on sight, are blessed. John 20:24-29 records Jesus interaction with Thomas after His resurrection:

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus says that we are blessed, Fam, when our faith and what we believe about Jesus being the Messiah is not based on what we see (though there is PLENTY of evidence). We don’t have to see his nail marks or put our hand in His side. We know that He is Lord and God, period, not blindly, but with conviction.

Jesus Doesn’t Need Artist Development

That being said, the great thing about Jesus is that what we see is actually what we get. He speaks of Himself as the Truth. He doesn’t need photo-shopping or reality shows or artist development. His fame spread because He was preaching, teaching, performing miracles, casting out demons and healing folks. There was no switcharoo. There is still no pretense.

I love that. The Hebrews writer says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” In Jesus’ case, we can believe what we see. But we are blessed if we believe, even when we haven’t seen.

What do we believe today?

That He’s God only when He shows up and does exactly as we ask, as if we boss Him?
Or is He God when He delays answering our prayers because that’s what’s best for us?
Is He God only when all of our bills are paid and everything’s copacetic?
Or is He God when we lose a job and lose our home?
Is He God only when He heals?
Or is He still God when He says “My grace is sufficient…”

Today, I’m choosing (and it is a CHOICE) to walk by faith, not by sight.
Will you join me?
Naima

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