Walking by faith stretches you because you don’t know what is ahead and must trust the Lord. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “We live by faith, not by sight.”[1] As people, this isn’t easy because we want to know where we are going and what is around the next bend. Learning to let go and let the Lord guide and direct you is a step toward maturing in the Christian faith.
The disciples learned to walk by faith as they were discipled by Jesus. Mark 4:35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon, a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. [2]
Jesus Knows What is Ahead
If we knew the difficulties we would experience as we walk by faith, we would never want to follow Jesus into the unknown. Like boot camp for Christian soldiers, life’s twists and turns help mature us in the faith. It was the right time to get into the boat and sail to the other side.
Yes, there would be a storm, but the disciples would have an opportunity to grow and mature as Jesus went through this storm with them. A good teacher challenges their students and encourages them to do things they thought they could not do. Jesus is the best teacher we will ever experience. He will stretch us, but not beyond our ability to follow Him.
Faith is the First Step to Travel the Unknown
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” [3]
That is an excellent understanding of walking by faith. When you walk by faith and not by sight, you keep moving even when you can’t see where you are going. Jesus could have chosen to prevent the storm before it started, but the disciples would have missed out on what the Lord wanted them to experience and learn.
The same is true in our lives. When the going gets tough, remember God is with you, and your difficulty does not surprise him. Like the disciples, the Lord uses storms of life to shape and mold us in a way only He could.
So, walking by faith and not by sight means that we live today according to God’s promises. Think how the Lord used this experience to help prepare the disciples for what they would experience in the future. Romans 8:14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” [4] Where in your life is the Lord calling you to walk by faith? To hear more about walking in faith, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-jesus-calms-the-storm
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (2 Co 5:7). (1984). Zondervan.
[2,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.