Living by Faith and Not by Sight

“We live by faith and not by sight” (II Corinthians 5:7).

This verse has become more real to me recently. Having fibromyalgia, I go through periods of dealing with pain in a specific location. When one pain disappears, another one replaces it. Right now my eyes are causing visual problems which affect my daily life.

With good vision I am able to be independent of others and, for the most part, can do what I want to do when I want to do it. I can see where I’m going as well as where I don’t want to go. I feel I am in control of my life and can plan accordingly. My current vision problem has changed some of those situations and I have become frustrated and fearful.

I can relate this physical situation to my spiritual life. When I live by sight only, I want God’s help and guidance for my life, but I am relying on what I see as well. I am more in control and may question God if I don’t care for the direction He is taking me. I prefer tangible signs to guide me, and I may even ignore His leading and go my own way at times.

Living by faith however means that I allow God to lead me, sometimes not knowing where I am going. The unknown can be a fearful place when I can’t see what lies ahead. Yet that is what God asks me to do – trusting Him completely, walking confidently with Him even when I don’t know where the next step will take me, and giving Him total control of my life.

I am praying that my physical vision will be completely restored soon. It would make my life easier and more enjoyable. As for my spiritual vision, I need only see far enough to find Christ – just one step ahead.

Prayer: All the way my Savior leads me – what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, what-e’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well (Hymn). Amen.

Singing a New Song

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God”
(Psalm 40:3).

I have always enjoyed music and have been blessed to participate on worship teams at church for a good many years.  We began attending a new church several years ago, and we do not sing most of the songs that I sang in the past.  I miss those old songs greatly, yet I am learning to love the new ones.  Acceptance, however, has taken time.

I can compare my life to these songs.  I loved the “songs” of my past – my work, my children at home, and my physical abilities and activities.  Not every song was a joyous song of praise, but many of my tunes were positive rather than negative.  Now I have to move on to new songs not only in church but in my personal life as well.  Circumstances and health are different. 

There was a time when even my old songs were new to me.  They took time to learn and grow to love.  The same is true for my new songs.  It takes time, patience, faith and trust in God, and even some creativity to learn these new words and melodies.  Adapting to change is challenging, but just as I am learning to love and enjoy singing new musical songs, God is helping me adapt and adjust to new phases of life.  God’s great love and compassion bring at least a few beautiful notes to even the hardest of days.

One day I will sing the old, the current, and the yet unknown songs of praise, together with countless other believers, in my eternal home.  God only writes beautiful music. For now, may I see each new day and new stage of my life as an opportunity to sing new melodies.  It’s time to start learning the new songs He’s written just for me.

Prayer:  O God, give me the strength and the willingness to sing each new song You give to me, returning these songs to You as my gift of praise.  Amen.