#123of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney

Today’s lesson is about being invisible. This happens to all of us now and again. We feel that we aren’t noticed. We are bypassed for lunch, a promotion, invitation to a get-together, our opinion, or even a smile. My personal pet peeve is when you say ‘Good Morning’ to someone or you open the door for someone, and you get nothing back. Not a thanks, not a smile, nothing. I used to say some choice words about the person in my head, but I’m trying to get better at it. I have the feeling of being invisible all the time. Either I’m not appreciated, not involved, or just not thought of. I think that one is there worst. My favorite song about this is Mr. Cellophane on the Chicago Musical Soundtrack.

“And even without clucking like a hen
Everyone gets noticed, now and then
Unless, of course, that person it should be
Invisible, inconsequential me”

Today, I was trying to find a parking space at the hospital for work. I found one, had my blinker on and waited. The car pulled out, and another car coming from the other way pulled in like I wasn’t even there. I was ticked off. Did my life have no purpose or meaning? Did he just not see me? Was he a jerk? I don’t know.

When we think about being invisible, it usually denotes something bad: a ghost, fate, the monster in the dark, our lives not having meaning. But something being invisible can be very powerful and good.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18

That’s right, God is invisible. You knew I was getting to it eventually. God has made the universe. Everything that exists, wasn’t at one point. He created that. We can’t see God. We can’t touch him. We can know him and his influence though. Last night, I was talking to a parent and she mentioned a movie she was watching with her husband and daughter. There was a scene where the parents had to rush to put a dollar under the pillow. The mom was worried her daughter would ask questions about the tooth fairy, Santa, and Jesus. To me, we can prove Jesus. He was a man. There is a historical record of him. His life and his death. There are his words that live on and impact our daily lives. We don’t see him, but like his Father, we see his impact. You can’t do anything in life without seeing the Holy Trinity. As the 2 Corinthians verse shows, too often we focus on the stuff of the world that is temporary and not the eternal things like love, kindness, forgiveness, salvation. These are the unseen things that Jesus provides.

So next time you feel like Mr (or Mrs.) Cellophane. Remember, God always sees you. You are not inconsequential. You are loved. God knows your name. (Isaiah 43:1)

Are you able to see you are valuable? Are you willing to accept that you are never invisible?

I am willing (with the help of God)