In the midst of all the rebellion, lawlessness, disorder, and crime in our world, some people are asking, “Is God at work in today’s world or has he abandoned it altogether?”
Jesus once told the story of a man who planted a seed in the ground and then he went on about his daily activities. All the time that he was carrying on the normal activities of his life, that little seed was growing. He didn’t know how it grew; he didn’t understand all the processes of life. But in due time that tiny plant poked itself out of the ground and into the sunshine and fresh air, and it continued to grow until eventually harvest day came.
Jesus told this little parable to suggest that there is a silent, unseen power that works in nature that makes a seed grow. You cannot see it, you cannot hear it. But that silent, unseen power begins to work in a seed to make it sprout and grow into a large plant that can produce much fruit. Operating in our world today is the silent, unseen power of God. And when you go about your work, you must remember always that God is at work at the same time.
We need to remember that there are powers in our world that cannot be seen and cannot be heard. We are so awed and impressed by the things we can see that we are apt to forget that there is a greater power that is silent and unseen.
God is still here and he is at work, though it’s hard to see. The church and the work of God do not make as many headlines as do government agencies. They do not create as much excitement or draw as large a crowd as popular entertainers. But you remember this: underneath it all God is at work in this world. If we but had the eyes to see and the ears to hear, we would know that God still can do great things.
With this understanding of faith and confidence, the Christian can be an optimist even in light of today’s headlines. With this kind of faith a Christian can be hopeful in the dark hours. God is still at work—and don’t you forget it.