"Seeing Jesus"

 "The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus." (John 12:21 KJV)

  "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NLT)

 So, here we have it, whether we expected to find it or not, hope is only truly realized when there is no other way but hoping in Jesus! Hebrews 12:2, which tells us plainly to keep our eyes on Jesus, says He is, "the author and finisher of our faith." Having some basic understanding of creative writing, when anyone sets out to write a captivating story, they usually don't give the ending away, as the mystery of what will happen is what draws people into the story.

 Here we have something totally different, because this Autor has let us know the end, before it will even happen! Not only that, but He has proven that the end will be as He said, by being raised from the dead and ascending up into heaven, where He prepares a place for you and me! You really can't finish the story before the end has happened, that is unless you are the Finisher of the story! 

 It really isn't that hard to understand, "God said it, I believe it, and that settles it," is what faith means. If you have faith in the finished work of Christ, then why do we worry about anything to do with this life? Having struggled with this issue, longer than I care to talk about, I think I can say that I know it doesn't work! You really can't serve two masters! 

 If you make friends with this world, you are going to get into a friendship that you will regret, because it is a friend that gives temporary pleasure, but takes away your hope in the process. Sooner or later, you will be so overburdened, because it feels as though detaching from its grip will tear you apart. 

 That is when it takes a basic understanding of what it means to surrender! Stop trying to make things happen, especially when you feel as though God is telling you, "Be still, and know that I am God!" Wow, is just another way to say, 'Opps, I should have listened! 

 That said, I think I understand how this works...

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you won't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin." (Hebrews 12:1-4 NLT)