#3 Walk by Faith, Not by Sight
Can we please talk about how scary 2 Corinthians 5:17 is for just a moment?! "For we walk by faith and not by sight." Sight is one of our primary senses, and of the five, it's the only one that gives us a clear depiction of what is ahead of us before we make contact with it. We use sight to avoid missteps and get to our destinations safely. We use it to notice our surroundings and to take appropriate steps that apply to the circumstances. (If we see someone who needs help, we can offer our assistance.) We use it as a survival tool. (Do not cross the street if you see a car coming.) Losing sight would be jarring to anyone who is used to seeing. The lack of instant feedback concerning our surroundings would be devastating and quite scary So, if sight is important, why in the world is there a verse that places so much emphasis on operating without it?
Sight, in this instance, is not referring to just the physical sense. It references what is immediately in front of us in our lives. Some of us have daunting tasks that we feel can never be accomplished. Health issues and diagnoses are the death toll to a happy life that some of us wish to live. Anxiety and worry about the near future play over and over again like a broken record in our minds, and while listening to the noise we hope to hear a song that makes sense. These are very real and very immediate pieces of feedback that influence our everyday lives. We feel them and they affect us.
However, what you immediately see is not always a clear indication of what lies ahead. You may wake up one day with immense pain, but that's not a permanent notice of your health. You may struggle with believing the promises of God about his provision for you, but it's not a permanent notice about your relationship with the Father. You might feel stuck where you are and see no way to get out, but that is not permanent notice of your destiny. The reason why we are not to depend on sight, alone, is because it is difficult to see past the storm when you are in it. We need someone who has a different perspective to guide us through it and into where we should go.
Faith and trust are intertwined with one another. Walking by faith and not by sight can feel akin to putting on a pair of blindfolds and telling God, "All right, I can't see so you'll have to guide me." It can be terrifying but He will be with you. So, this week, I challenge you to walk by faith. Any moment where what you see begins to trouble your mind and heart, ask the Lord to guide you through the storm and show you what lies beyond it.
Memory verse of the Week: 2 Corinthians 5:17
"For we walk by faith and not by sight"
