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Kyle West Story-Truth Project
Why would God use a boy with cerebral palsy? That’s what 7 year-old Kyle West asked. Now 18, God has used Kyle in incredible ways, including on The Truth Project. Despite Kyle’s difficulties, God has a plan and purpose for his life and for yours. Watch Del's bonus teaching looking at the topic now or watch the full episode online now at Cross Examine's Facebook page www.facebook.com/CrossExamine.
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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Keeping the Unseen Goal in Mind
Posted on May 20, 2010
Filed Under Personal, Theology | 13 Comments
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
On Friday, we hiked the 3-mile “Delicate Arch” trail. It took us over chert (a hard, shiny rock that the Native Americans fashioned into tools and weapons), very large open areas of “slickrock” and along a ledge that hugged a steep cliff.
It was about the equivalent of climbing to the top of a 50-story building.
Except the “stairs” were steep slanted rock.
I’m in pretty good shape, but I’ll be honest with you…there were times when I wasn’t sure that I wanted to continue. It was hot. My quads were burning at times.
It didn’t help that we had eaten lunch before the hike (not a good idea!).
Hikers coming down the trail encouraged us by saying “It’s worth it!” and “You’re almost there!”—even though we would climb another fifteen minutes and wonder what in the world “almost” meant in their vocabulary.
But what I loved about this moderately strenuous trail was that it kept the star of the show hidden until the last minute. As we climbed and hiked and crept along the ledge, it wasn’t until we climbed over the last rocky crest that the awesome sight came into view—Delicate Arch.
Wow!
What a sight!
She was magnificent!
We sat and just looked at her for a long time before we began the short hike to stand beneath her archway. Other hikers were glad to reciprocate in taking pictures, although we appeared as ants in her shadow.
We lingered a long time afterwards just gazing at her.
I think the effort it took to get there made it even more special.
What was funny was that we then became the “downhill” hikers and I found myself saying “You’re almost there…it’s really worth it!” And then chuckling because I realized that they probably had another tough half-mile to go.
Going downhill gives you a different perspective on “almost”.
I started thinking about Hebrews 12:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
I was imagining the “cloud of witnesses” who had the eternal perspective looking down at us with almost the same kind of encouragement:
“Don’t give up!”
“You’re almost there!”
“Believe me, it is really worth it!”
It really is.
Our faith is not some blind leap in the dark. It is based upon solid evidence. Yes, it isn’t seen. That’s what makes it “faith”. But true “faith” that God has given us isn’t a belief in non-existent, ethereal wisps of fairy dust. It is based upon hard evidence. Romans 1 says that the evidence in creation is “plain” to everyone. At one time, the resurrected Jesus appeared to over 500. It is the “assurance” and “conviction” of things not seen. The New King James uses the word “evidence”. I think that is right.
We couldn’t see Delicate Arch until we got there. We struggled and sweat and burned and slipped and crawled and huffed and puffed our way along the trail. Why? Because we believed that the thing that was “unseen” was worth the journey. Others were telling us it was worth it. They were encouraging us. But they couldn’t show it to us. We had to wait until we reached the end of the trail and then we would behold it for ourselves.
“You’re almost there.”
“It will be worth it.”
It really will.
Comments
13 Responses to “Keeping the Unseen Goal in Mind”
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Tremendous reminder! Thank you.
Being a fitness guy, I can certainly indentify with Dels’ story of his journey. Life as a Christian is definately a marathon! There is no finish line. You just got to keep on keeping on! If we can do this, what we experience along the way will be more than we could ever imagine.
What a perfect example of our faith walk. It’s hard at times and it’s easy to want to give up, especially when tired. But it is worth it. Love the Hebrew 12 reference to the cloud of witnesses.
Blessings,
Debbie
God bless you, Del Tackett. Thank your for perspective and encouragement.
To think I almost didn’t read it and it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear and be reminded of. The Lord is so good and faithful!
Thank you, Dr. Tackett, for another powerful picture of our Faith. It is so much easier to grasp the image of our Father when someone is able to put it into simple earthly terminology and examples that we can all relate to. You’re a master at it!
Thank you for this very timely message. It comes at a time where we are considering making what feels like a “dangerous” choice to follow God’s leading. We are considering the interational adoption of a child. We are on a rather “comfy ledge” at this point in life with our four biological children growing up (our youngest is 4) and parenting is certainly a lot less exhausting than when we had 4 under the age of 7! But we sense that God is calling us to something more challenging as he seems to be asking us to be willing to be a vessel for him to show his miraculous power and provision. So as Peter did long ago, we are stepping “out of the boat” in faith and following his call one step at a time with our eyes fixed on Jesus. Thanks for the encouragement to keep going!
I’m moved to tears…thanks!
Totally loving the Truth Project. My husband is leading the study with several students in the senior high youth group. My husband and I hiked in Arches National Park many years ago. Still my favorite park, although the majesty of the Grand Canyon is amazing.
That was awesome, Dr. Tackett. Thank you for all the inspiration you give us!
Dr. Tackett, Loving the Truth Project,even bought it for myself to go back over at a slower pace and try to take in more for better retention and then forward in hopes my daughter in Austria will use it. Love your using God’s creation to see Him…..in rural Northern California I see His hand everywhere and am drawn into deeper worship of Him.
Thank you, I needed that….we are currently busy with Truth Project and it is not always an easy tour-I have been called fundementalist, narrow-minded and a farise for believing the Word of God as it stands (that is already at lessons 5). This really encouraged me to keep on keeping on…..thank you
I had a similar experience hiking Pike’s Peak with my friends. I’m from the south, so the elevation was overwhelming! We climbed, trudged, gasped for breath… but all the while, runners and hikers kept running down the mountain giving us the same encouragements they gave you. When we got to the top, I sat down and looked over all the land we had spent the day hiking (and then some!). It was breathtaking. Literally and visually. I couldn’t see from this perspective until I hiked up there and sat on top. It was so worth it though! The eternal perspective, like the view from the top of a mountain, is one to keep focus on all our lives.