Owls of Middop

As I cycled home from chapel in the dark last month, a pale-looking shape swooped past my head. It was so close, I ducked. It was no phantom, but an owl, though it was just as silent and impressive. I had probably disturbed his soundless watching, and off he glided to find some other vantage point from which his next meal might be observed and procured. His prey, I dare say, will neither see nor hear him till it be too late. I saw, but did not hear.

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus commends those who believe without seeing:

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

It also comments on the need to hear the gospel if we are to believe it (And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Rom 10:14b).

Right now, though we hear the gospel regularly preached, we are permitted to see little. One day, we shall see everything. I look forward to that day.