For we live by faith, not by sight.

Life, metaphorically speaking, is a journey. It is a journey that every person who has ever lived has taken. It has a beginning and it has a final destination. No one chooses his own beginning but there are choices that can be made along the way, and the choices influence the destination and the quality of the journey.

All people walk by faith—how that looks depends on what they believe in. The choices that we make on our journey through life are controlled by what we believe about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life. These beliefs are born of faith in what we cannot see. Do you believe random chance is responsible for life? or a holy God? or some other cosmic force? What you believe about your origin will guide the choices you make toward your destination.

Although the Apostle Paul had Christians in mind when he wrote our verse for today, his wisdom applies to everyone. Since the ultimate source of the journey of life cannot be seen, we must place faith in that which we believe to be the source of life’s ultimate meaning and purpose.

If our journey through life is to be successful, it is essential that we place our faith in that which is the true source of the journey, in that which has actually defined the ultimate meaning and purpose of life. The witness of nature, scripture, and the Holy Spirit gives us only one possible option. We must place our faith in the Creator, the God of the Bible, and we must not place our faith in an idol — a God-substitute of our own creation. We must surrender in faith to that which is the actual source of life which gives meaning to this journey. The universe will never reward your devotion, but the God of the universe will ultimately reward our faith with sight—when we see Him on the throne in heaven.

By John Huisman, friend of Bible League International