We Believe What We Want to Believe

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"The Pharisees came out and began to argue with him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test him." (Mk. 8:11, NASB)

   It's a classic, and anyone old enough to know who Gilligan is knows the story well. Charlie Brown wants so desperately to kick the football. His desperation is such that he will continue to believe that Lucy will actually hold the ball steady until he kicks it. However, after nearly 50 years of comic strip appearance, it just does not happen. Well, actually she does leave the ball in place on one occasion but he misses the ball entirely. He stubbornly refused to believe that he was going to kick that ball. He believed what he wanted to believe.

   In the passage above, Jesus has just finished dismissing the crowd after feeding 4,000 men (not counting women and children) miraculously, and it has only been a page or two since we read of Him feeding 5,000 men (again, not counting women and children). The response of the Pharisees is awkward at best. In modern vernacular, "Now that you have miraculously fed all these folks, we want a sign that You are who You say You are." Really? I guess those untold thousands of folks who just ate fish sandwiches does not count. They simply could not see the forest for all the trees.

   As I think about it this morning, I again realize that we believe what we choose to believe. Eyes of faith can (and often will) see Jesus working in all situations; whereas eyes of doubt will miss Him time and again. Like Charlie Brown, doubters will miss the ball over and over, missing what is obvious. The Pharisees wanted a sign but missed a big one that was right in front of them. How is that possible? They chose to shut their eyes and see only what they wanted to see. In much the same way, our individual circumstances, personal histories, and unique perspectives affect our ability to believe. If God says it, then believe it. Quit ignoring or discarding those things that do not line up with "your views." Listen to the voice of God above all other voices--even your own!

Many Christians miss God every day all because we are looking through "tainted" lenses: eyes that are focused on what we want to see. Even worse, I'm afraid, perhaps convinced is a better word, that many people will end up missing heaven itself all because they chose to believe what they wanted to believe.








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