Comment by Harborough churches: There are many things that we cannot see that affect our lives

Viewpoint by Phil Walter, Pastor of Harborough Community Church

Recently whilst out walking with my wife in a large wooded area near where we live, my wife exclaimed “I’ve just seen a large black panther size cat run across the path ahead of us!” My initial reaction was you couldn’t have, don’t tell anyone they’ll laugh at you!

However, this got me thinking, as I hadn’t seen it, about the things that are unseen, particularly in our current climate of Covid-19. (On investigation we learned that a number of sightings have been reported over the last few years in the county.) We know it’s there, but where? We know what it does, but it is unseen. For some people it sadly becomes real when they or a loved one reveals symptoms of the virus. For my wife the sighting was real and fascinating and maybe a trifle scary, whereas I wanted proof by seeing the animal myself.

There are many things that we cannot see that affect our lives for good and bad. The very air we breathe, the electricity that reveals its effect when the switch is turned on, the radio or TV signal which is unseen but brings such joy. Diseases of all descriptions are generally unseen, until the effects take hold and we see the devastation that occurs.

How are we to make sense then of faith? God is unseen and yet we can see him so much in everyday life. The wonder of creation, the seasons which bring such amazing colour and fragrance and sheer beauty. The new born child, the compassion and love we see around us, the intricate world that we can enjoy (and sometimes spoil!).

There is a good description of faith in the Bible that says “Faith is being sure of what hope for and certain of what we do not see”. Whilst we cannot see God, we know a great deal about him through Jesus the Son of God. He lived a life that reflected God’s character – loving, kind, generous and so much more. So, as we seek to know God more personally we can understand what he is like, thus being sure and certain of his love for us.

As a minister of a local church here in Harborough, I am very aware of the comfort, peace and joy that faith brings to individuals. I am reminded that this is not a blind faith in an unseen God but a faith based on the reality of relationship with Jesus Christ. Such faith has solid foundations that although unseen can be trusted.

I can never persuade my wife that she did not see the panther-like animal, for it is her testimony of what she saw. In the same way the personal testimony of a person’s faith is a powerful thing.

What is unseen can bring with it fear, the “what ifs” of life itself. We are all on different journeys towards faith of different kinds which may lead us to a God who is unseen but in whom we can have complete faith through Jesus Christ. May God bless you on your journey.

Phil Walter is Pastor of Harborough Community Church