We often don’t think about the tension we experience between the visible and the invisible. This space between the visible and the invisible is not merely philosophical; it is subconsciously woven into the fabric of our daily lives. From the mundane choices we make to the profound decisions that shape our future, we constantly navigate between what we can see and what it is that we believe or hope for. We live in a world obsessed with the tangible—with what can be measured, quantified, and proven. Yet, beneath the surface of our daily experience lies a deeper reality that cannot be fully grasped through our physical senses alone. It is this unseen realm that often holds the most significant influence over our lives, even though it remains invisible. To help us explore this dynamic, I introduced the concept of spiritual permanence during Goldenwood’s Summer Intensive this year in Greenville, and was met with surprising resonance from the group gathered there.
I am borrowing from the psychological term “object permanence” which is a critical developmental milestone in childhood. It’s the moment when a child begins to understand that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. Before such permanence develops, every time you cover you face and then uncover it with “peekaboo!” they are filled with delight because you’ve just magically reappeared! The growing realization that you’ve never left despite their not seeing your face is foundational; it changes how children interact with the world, as they foster a growing sense of security and stability. Likewise, spiritual permanence—the belief that God’s gracious presence remains constant even when we cannot see or feel God—serves as a foundational cornerstone for our spiritual formation. It is the deep conviction that God’s presence, His promises, and the truths of the gospel endure, regardless of our immediate circumstances or emotions.
At its core, spiritual permanence is about maturing faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This assurance is not merely intellectual assent but a lived reality, where the unseen becomes more real to us than the seen. Spiritual permanence is the developing realization that things are not what they simply appear to be but that the foreground of every life circumstance is the eternal, unchanging nature of God and His promises.
In essence, it is the belief that God is as present in our darkest valleys as He is on our mountaintop experiences. It is learning to trust that His love remains steadfast, His grace sufficient, and His sovereignty unchallenged, especially when our circumstances scream otherwise. Spiritual permanence brings conviction to the truth that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), even when everything around us feels impermanent.
This concept of spiritual permanence is paramount in our spiritual growth, because without it, our faith remains fragile, easily swayed by the winds of change, doubt, and fear. Yet, the sad reality is that so few of us have this spiritual sensibility and awareness. When we lack spiritual permanence, we become that “wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6), constantly reacting to external circumstances rather than resting in the internal assurance of God’s abiding presence. We bobble through life feeling unmoored and easily swayed by our feelings and whichever pundits we hear in our echo chambers.
Yet, the good news is that God never leaves or forsakes us. God’s Spirit is actively at work each day to develop within us a spiritual permanence that radically alters how we approach every aspect of our lives because we learn how to live life the way it was meant to be experienced—in the presence of a loving God. Walking with God changes how we respond to suffering, success, and even the mundane realities of daily life because we have the most profound conversation partner prompting a new way to hear, see, and respond. The daily grind of work, chores, and responsibilities often feels monotonous and devoid of significance. But when we view these tasks through the lens of spiritual permanence, we begin to ask, “What invisible reality am I bringing into the world together with a God who delights in the mundane?” Whether answering emails, washing dishes, or changing diapers, we can do so with the awareness that every moment is sacred as we make known to the world some invisible aspect of God’s character.
As we live in a world of seeming uncertainty, spiritual permanence keeps us grounded. It challenges us to exercise a different mode of living where we focus on what we know to be true in tense and anxious moments. This certainly doesn’t mean denying the reality in front of you or living in a bubble; quite the contrary. It means choosing to engage in both the banal and the traumatic with the belief that God’s gracious presence is the truest reality, and this keeps us respectfully engaged in conversations and communities that continue to bear God’s image.
Spiritual permanence demands an active faith—one that enjoys God’s reality over and against cultural pundits or personal crises. It’s a continual call to trust in God’s character and to live each day with the conviction that the unseen things are indeed the most real. In a world that demands instant gratification, spiritual permanence asks us to play the long game, to invest in what truly lasts, and to see deeper, wider, and farther.
So, what is it that you see? As you navigate the complexities of our ever-changing modern life, ask yourself, “Where do I need to cultivate spiritual permanence in my life?” In what areas am I struggling to trust in the unseen realities of God’s promises? And how can I live more fully by faith, letting go of the need to see and control, and instead resting in the assurance that God is always present, always working, always faithful? I hope this reflection encourages you as you seek to live a life anchored in the reality of the gospel which we forfeit when we choose to focus merely on the seen. Let God’s Spirit fill your imagination to see what is unseen and to realize dreams you could never imagine yourself. May you become reacquainted with God’s peace, a purpose that transcends the temporal, and a hope that is certain.