Chapter 11 of the Letter to the Hebrews begins with these words, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”  But still, we’d like to see the “things that are not visible,” wouldn’t we?  You know, just to be sure.  Faith can get a little shaky sometimes.

Maybe that’s why people become so wound up over images of holy figures they think they see in strange places.

Recently, I stumbled upon a series of “news” videos covering stories of such discoveries.  For instance, there is the image of an angel in the plate-glass window on the front of a carpet shop.  Of course, it is seen only at night when certain lights are on outside a convenience store across the street.

Jesus recently was spotted in the fur pattern of a cat; in the way a Cheeto was shaped (you know, those empty-calorie crunchy snacks having the consistency of ancient, hardened Styrofoam, and dusted with orange powder – don’t get me wrong, I love them!); in a sonogram image; in a rock, co-existing with George Washington; and on the bark of a tree.  The Virgin Mary was discerned by a plumber in a rust stain in an industrial sink somewhere.  A prior sighting of her occurred in a partially-eaten cheese sandwich, while Mother Teresa was observed in a cinnamon roll.

I guess you can tell I don’t share the enthusiasm some folks have for such things.

If someone wants to see “proof” of God’s existence, or of the validity of faith, I would suggest paying attention to the beauty and complexity of the eco-system, thinking about how provision is evident for the sustaining of human life (as long as we don’t totally foul it up), or observing how people can experience positive personal transformation as they deal with the realities of life, and even find grace and healing in the midst of tragedy and pain.

Perhaps I should slow down on the Cheetos and at least look them over before I pop them into my mouth, but I’m not interested in whose face or form they might resemble.  In my view, our faith is fed in more substantial and eminently more satisfying ways.