From My Perspective - - -

In 2001, a science fiction book entitled “Things Not Seen” was written and released by Andrew Clements. The subject and plot of the book revolves around a teen-aged boy, Bobby, who suddenly becomes invisible. Bobby has to learn how to cope with his condition and new situation. “Normal” is no longer a reality for him. One reviewer comments:  "At first it seems like any other day. Throwing off his electric blanket, fifteen-year-old Bobby stumbles to the bathroom to shower. When he wipes the fog off the mirror to comb his hair he notices something is missing - namely - him…”  An interesting story line…an implausible situation…an impossible reality… However, there are times when different ones have uttered – “if only I could be a fly on the wall” – when such and such is occurring. The idea is to be someone not particularly noticed but in a position to observe the most private and/or secret happenings in a place where one would not ordinarily be present.

It’s not uncommon to hear church-oriented people idly wish they could escape the “tedious and discouraging” times in which they live. In some instances, the times are not only tedious but also torturous. If one looks at the radical religious orientation of some nations today and the things that are encouraged and tolerated based upon a particular belief system, it is understandable why some would wish for a different reality and context for existence. On the web-page – allreaders.com – Cory Miller is a reviewer of the book Things Not Seen, and states: Bobby (a fifteen-year-old) quickly finds out that the reality of being invisible is quite different from what is portrayed in movies and books…His physicist father attempts to dissect the problem as he would any other scientific anomaly, whereas Bobby's mother is likely to smother him with attention and orders…” He just drops out of sight. He’s gone but “only his mother and father can know and that means not school, not friends, no one. Not only is Bobby invisible, but he also is alone…” Just think of that situation – invisible and alone – how tedious and discouraging that would be.

For Bobby, there is a temporary advantage for him. He can stroll around in many places and be completely unnoticed. That is, until one day he is strolling through a Library and meets Alicia, the one person who will not notice he is invisible. Why does it not matter to Alicia? Well – Alicia is blind and has no way of knowing that Bobby is invisible unless or until he tells her. “…Through Alicia,  Bobby learns that there is something worse than being invisible, and that is being made to feel invisible. Together they help each other work through their situations to find friendship and a new strength that they did not realize they possessed…"

There are two Biblical Lessons one can learn about being or becoming invisible. The first is a principle of Faith mentioned in Hebrews 11:1,3,6 (New Living Translation) – “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see…By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen…it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” The second lesson about becoming invisible appears in I Thessalonians 4:17 (NLT), “Then…we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever.” This is referred to as “the rapture of The Church” when God’s people suddenly depart earth and are “caught up” to meet the Lord. All of what has been and is both tedious and discouraging will be left behind. As a child, there was a small card in our home that had these words etched on it: “Christ is the head of this house; The unseen guest at every meal; The silent listener to every conversation.” It is a haunting thought and reminder of the presence of Christ observing His people. Regardless of how tedious or discouraging life may become, Christ is always present and He always cares. Consider these things with me!