I’m not really sure what it is, but it’s pretty interesting stuff. I think it’s mostly air and sugar. It’s always a cool color, fun to eat, and tastes really sweet. However, you soon discover it’s much smaller than it appears as it suddenly dissolves to nothingness in your mouth.
Let’s review: Looks good and tastes good, but quickly vanishes.
Do we have a cotton candy faith? One that looks pretty when times are good, but rapidly fades when the wind and the waves kick up. A faith that is dependent upon sight rather than firmly rooted in an unwavering trust in Jesus. A faith that appears big and sweet when God acts the way we expect, but rapidly dissipates when times are tough or heaven is silent.
Jesus said, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe” (John 4:48 NASB).
There’s certainly nothing wrong with “signs and wonders.” Our God is a miraculous God so ask Him to work wonders! But right in the middle of a carnival-like atmosphere where folks were coming from miles around to see this miracle-worker do His thing, Jesus’ statement goes to the heart of true belief. To look at it another way, Jesus is asking, “What if I didn’t work these signs and wonders, would you believe in Me then?” “Come one, come all – miracles galore!” and who wouldn’t believe? Wind and waves…not so much.
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples saying, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:29 NASB).
Seeing Jesus clearly and true belief have much more to do with the eyes of your heart – a 20/20 vision that rests and abides in Jesus and His Word no matter what. An enduring faith that clings to a God who has revealed so much of Himself yet whose ways are not our ways and thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Finite creatures. Infinite God. Don’t try to do the math. Put down the pencil and believe.
Sweet fellowship with Jesus doesn’t have to dissolve like cotton candy. He offers a fullness of joy that is firmly tied to His very Presence. Feelings cannot always be trusted and appearances can be deceptive. So don’t lose faith. Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. Trust in who He is.
“…and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory…” (1Peter 1:8 NASB).
© 2013 Tim McKenzie – www.OnEveryWord.com