Walking by Faith not by Sight

In 2 Corinthians 4:11-18, Paul writes to the Corinthians and to believers in the 21^st century,

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. It is written: “I believed; therefore, I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

And just for some comedic relief and because Lori always appreciated a joke – there is the biblical proof that even though we think highly of ourselves sometimes, we really are just a bunch of cracked pots. 

I was not present for the tough times during Lori’s diagnosis and it was probably a good thing, my presence would have probably just made those times harder.  But every report from my sisters, and my experience was that Lori exhibited her faith throughout her time fighting the brain tumor.  I am sure there were nights, when she was scared or anxious.  I can’t imagine the weight of it all on her, Russ, the kids, and other members of the family as they sat beside Lori during those tough times. 

I know that I struggled with seeing how this made sense, how can I see God’s plan in this?  But, this passage tells us to look at what is unseen.  How is that even possible?  Who would say that?  Who points to something that isn’t there and says look at that?  That seemingly doesn’t make any sense. 

But that is exactly what living by faith means.  “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1.

And this faith produces hope.  “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”  Romans 8:24-25 –

Paul goes on to say, “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight.”  2 Corinthians 5:6

We sang “When Peace Like a River” at both the funerals of Mom and Dad.  The last verse talks about the last day. 

“And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul” (Spafford, 1876)

As many of you know, after Lori’s diagnosis she loved and spent a lot of time listening to music and watching You Tube videos of certain songs.  One of her favorites was “Behold our God” by California Baptist University.  The chorus says,

“Behold our God seated on his throne

Come let us adore

Behold our King nothing can compare

Come let us adore”

I was there in the living room when Lori passed away.  Sharon Natelborg was at her side and looked at us and said something to the effect that Lori was gone.  Donna read a verse from song “By the Sea of Crystal.”

I stood there for a moment at the foot of the bed.  In my imagination, with eyes of faith, I saw Lori entering heaven and seeing God ready to welcome her.  I looked at Lori and spoke loud enough that maybe I was the only one to hear it and said to her, “Behold Your God.”