Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1 Peter 1:8 KJV

I love that, Peter, who had walked on water with Jesus, seen Him transfigured on the mountain and had a meal with Him after the resurrection, intersects with our world. Peter encourages us that even though we will never have the privilege of seeing Jesus with our own eyes, that it is God’s plan for us to experience a glorious unspeakable joy. I confess that most days, I miss out on that joy. I get so preoccupied with busyness, problems, or sorrow that I forget about Jesus. Like Peter did on the day He walked on water, I get my eyes on the wind and waves, or when I do experience a little of His glory, I end up sidelined by religious duties as Peter did when he offered to build three tabernacles on the mountain while Jesus stood shining before them. But, just as Jesus waited for Peter, after fishing all night, so He waits for you and me. No, we will not see him through the morning fog on the beach, but we can see Him through eyes of love and faith on the shoreline of our situation today. Jesus still walks out on the wind and waves to our boats, waits at the manger and lingers outside the empty tomb until the eyes of our heart recognize Him. Then – oh the joy that enters into the holy place of our hearts! Though not seeing, if we simply believe, God has promised to give us an unspeakable joy through all eternity through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!