Belief without sight

John 20:29 MKJV  Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed.

With all that is within I long to see Jesus with my own eyes but to long for only that would mean I miss out on this close personal walk I have with Him now, time which He has set apart just for me. Those Jesus came to visit in their own towns, which He touched and healed, how many of them would look at us and say I long for Jesus to live in my heart? To be with Him day and night, in good and bad times, never alone knowing He is with me always? Instead a few were able to touch Him or talk with Him briefly, many only got a glimpse through the crowds that always seem to surround Him. Many could only say Jesus came through my town once but we can say, “I walk with Him and tell Him my most intimate secretes and He is faithful to lead me so that my faith in Him might grow.” Once again it brings Free Will, which was given to us by God's sacrifice, front and center. What greater way can we tell Jesus we love Him than to give ourselves a living sacrifice in faith, ahead of seeing Him with our own eyes knowing His best for us is now but not yet!

Why are the ones who believe and have yet to see called blessed? How great is the joy of the wife or husband whose spouse returns from a long trip, better yet the spouse or parent that returns from the military whom they have not seen in a long time or maybe for the first time? We’ve all seen videos of soldiers returning home surprising the loved one who is hopeful but did not know their return was so near. For those who believe Jesus is who the Bible says He is there is a hunger inside to know Him better, to see Him face to face, and to touch His hand and worship at His feet. We long for that day when knowing Him and listening to His words no longer require faith but instead the faith we had in this journey is made complete. On that day we will be blessed not only because our faith turned to sight and our hope to touch but we will be blessed because of the relationship we already have from walking with Him through the hills, meadows, valleys, and mountain tops. We will remember the deserts and how He sustained us and the storms when all we could do was to hold on. You see all the things we experience in this life while walking with Jesus by faith make seeing Him face to face all the more glorious and filled with anticipation!

Hebrews 11:6 MKJV  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Matthew 5:6 MKJV  Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness! For they shall be filled.