“–we faint not–While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen–” (2 Cor. 5:16,18)
The ancient Chinese had a unique mechanism for presenting their plays. They would present a play on a two-level stage. On the upper stage, the resolution of the drama was acted out as the story unfolded below. So as tension and mystery were building on the first level, the audience watching the resolution of the plot would yell to the people on the first level, “Hang in there! Don’t give up! If you only knew!” What inspired that hope? It was the knowledge of what was happening on the second level.
Joseph M. Stowell recalls this special event:
“I will never forget the 1980 Olympics hockey match between the U.S. team—composed of small, young, amateur players—and the Soviets. During the final period, I was literally on the edge of my seat. I felt all the agony and anxiety of the contest as I watched it on television—and then suddenly we scored to go ahead late in the game! Can we hang on? I was tense, nervous, and traumatized. Our team went on to win, and at last I was ecstatic.
“Later that night, the network broadcast a replay of the game, so I invited some friends over to watch it. I watched the same game again, but was I on the edge of my seat? Of course not. I sat back, propped up my feet, had a bowl of popcorn, and leisurely sipped a cola. I was watching the very same game—but what I knew about the outcome made a radical difference in my attitude and actions.”
Dear friend, fret not over the conditions of this wicked world—I’ve read the last chapter or the Bible, and we win.Think about it!
