Proof Denies Faith

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1, NIV).

If you’ve read much of what I’ve written, you know I enjoy watching Hallmark movies. Though most scripts read the same, I do occasionally find a nugget of truth nestled into the story that points me to Jesus. If you visit the Hallmark page and click the “About” tab for the movie Pearl in Paradise, you’ll find the following description:

Alex, a photographer for a travel magazine, and Colin, a best-selling author, team up to find an elusive Fijian “pearl.” As both of their careers hang in the balance, their treasure hunt in a Fijian valley might lead them to find the only treasure that really matters. Starring Jill Wagner and Kristoffer Polaha.1

Sounds like a pretty typical Hallmark movie, right? The ending of the movie is what really spoke to my heart. Upon discovering the pearl, Colin reads a line from an old scroll that says: “Those worthy of the pearl can never have found the pearl.”2Immediately, they both realize the lesson in the treasure hunt was to test their faith regarding whether or not the pearl actually existed. In the absence of proof, you must believe that something exists in order to seek it.

Isn’t that the essence of faith as a follower of Jesus? Hebrews 11:1 puts it simply: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Many times, when we are in the process of seeking, searching, or hoping for something, we do not have proof that it exists. However, because we serve a good Father, it is the finding of what we are seeking, searching, or hoping for that builds our faith for the future.

I am grateful we can look back on the Lord’s faithfulness in the past. In doing so, we see that despite not having proof that what we were searching for existed, we are able to see how leaning into our faith led us to the discovery of things we would never have believed possible otherwise.

While you’re seeking, searching, or waiting for something to come to fruition, I am prayerful you will cling to faith when the existence of proof is nowhere to be found. When we lean into that faith, we are opened up to experience the amazing goodness of our God as He leads us forward in safety, love, and truth, even when we don’t fully know the destination.

Unlike in the movie, when they are forced to ignore the existence of the pearl in order to preserve faith in the search for others, in our walk with Jesus, we are called to share about the existence of God’s presence in our lives. When He reveals evidence of His faithfulness, we are called to share those stories for our good, the good of others, and most of all, for His glory!

1. Yates, Gary, director. 2018.” Pearl in Paradise”. Hallmark Channel. https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/pearl-in-paradise/about-pearl-in-paradise.

2. Yates, “Pearl in Paradise”.

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