Howdy, dear friends! Now, I know you might be tempted to scoot on to something else, thinking you’ve heard it all before, but bear with me. Trust me, there’s a little nugget of wisdom waiting for you at the end. Let’s dive right into it.
Trust in the Unseen
Today, we’re taking a gander at a verse that’s near and dear to my heart. The Good Book says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV). Now, ain’t that a humdinger of a statement? Living by faith and not by sight flies in the face of everything society pushes on us today. In this modern world, everything’s got to be as plain as the nose on your face before folks accept it as true.
Yet, our walk with the Lord invites, nay, demands, a different approach. It’s like driving down one of those backcountry roads without a streetlight for miles, trusting that the path ahead will be clear, even if we can’t see a lick past our headlights. Sounds nerve-wracking, right? But it’s in those times that our faith muscles get the biggest workout.
Boots on the Ground Faith
I remember during the Vietnam War, many of us young men found ourselves in foreign jungles, faced with dangers we couldn’t predict. We didn’t have a map for every step, but we had trust and camaraderie that saw us through. Much like that experience, life is peppered with moments where we have no clue what’s around the corner. We must lean on our faith in God’s divine plan.
Ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I’ve seen faith in action. Take my Grandpa Joe. A stout-hearted farmer, he worked his land diligently, not always knowing if the rains would come or if the crops would yield. But he worked on. He’d always say, “John, God’s got His ways. We do our part, and He’ll do His.” And, wouldn’t you know it, more often than not, the harvests were bountiful. A testament to trusting in what we couldn’t foresee with our earthly eyes.
The Moral of the Journey
Now, what’s the crux of living by faith, and not by sight? Well, it boils down to trust. We live in an era where information is at our fingertips, but paradoxically, it’s made us control freaks. We want to grasp every outcome, forecast every bump in the road, and understand every detour. But when we let go and let God steer our ship, we start to see the beauty of His grand design.
Think of it as embarking on a pilgrimage. We might have our plans and expectations, but the real adventure lies in what God places in our path. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” When we trust Him, even uncertainty becomes a blessed journey.
My Two Cents
Trusting in faith over sight is like learning to play the fiddle by ear rather than reading sheet music. It might feel awkward, especially at the start, but oh, the melody your life can create when you let go and let God hit those strings. At the ripe age of 60, I’ve seen my fair share of hardships – from the energy crisis of the 70s to the uncertain economy of today. But through it all, standing firm in my faith has brought more peace than any headline or analyst report ever could.
So, how do we keep our faith strong? Well, I find that surrounding myself with a community of believers helps a great deal. Church on Sundays, Bible study on Wednesdays, and fellowship with like-minded folks keeps my spirit buoyed. Also, pray without ceasing – even when doubting, especially when doubting. Just keep the line open with God.
A Humble Prayer
Before we part ways, let us bow our heads in a heartfelt prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You, humbly seeking Your guidance. In times of uncertainty, strengthen our faith to trust in Your unseen plan. Help us walk by faith, as Your Word instructs us, and let our lives reflect Your glorious light. Remind us always of Your promises and keep our hearts steadfast in Your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Friends, no matter what life throws at us, let’s remember to live by faith, not by sight. Press on, for the Lord’s roadmap is far grander than we can imagine.
Until next time, may God bless you and keep you safe.