For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
For those of us who follow Christ, it is a walk of faith. For those of us with chronic challenges in our lives, that walk seems to call forth a deeper faith.
It is easy to have faith when things are going well. It is easy to have faith when life is full of blessings. But, I wonder, what kind of “faith” is that? Are we simply trusting in the good (not that I am against good things mind you!) and calling it faith?
How much more difficult it is to have faith when it seems all is going wrong. When the ground seems dry and no blessings are to be found. Then we are truly called to walk by faith.
Those who do not know or follow Christ may find it very difficult to understand why we keep trusting - why we “keep on keeping on”, when life hands trial after trial.
Hmmm - I just made an interesting typo - I typed “trail” instead of “trial”. Mistake? Maybe.
There is a sand dune by our house that is rather “famous”. It is called Mount Baldy. There are two ways up to the top. There are wooden stairs one can take - and there is a not so easily traversed path up the dune itself. That path is conducive to slips and falls and hard going. It takes longer to get to the top that way - but there is a lot of laughter along the way.
Both ways allow you to get to the top and look out to the wonder of Lake Michigan. But you know what? I think that those who get to the top after the climb through the sand and stronger and feel good that they “conquered” the sand dune. (Ok, Mount Everest it is not ... *smile*)
Some of us have an easier trail in life. Some of us get to take the stairs. Others of us slip and slide our way up the mountain. God determines our trail - and our trials. Either way - we are promised we will get to the top one day. It’s not our timing. It’s God’s.
I pray we can make peace with the trials and trails in front of us - walking by faith and not by sight.
Father, Grant us perseverance and endurance on this journey. Let us approach each trial and each trail with faith, knowing You are with us each step of the way.