Journal Entry ~ 11/09/18

for we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7

Walking by faith is not only difficult, it’s impossible in our own power. If we resolve to be more trusting or be more faithful in our own hearts, it will never happen. We’ll try for a little while, but eventually we’ll find ourselves stumbling and failing. It’s simply not something our hearts can do on their own. We react to the things of this world, to the things that are tangible and in front of us, and we will inevitably start walking by sight again. 

Walking by faith is only possible when our hearts are filled with the Spirit. It is with His power alone that we can navigate this difficult world, knowing with confidence that God is sovereign over our circumstances and that He is working all things for good. It is only when we are filled with the Spirit that we are able to journey through the heartache, but filled with the peace and joy that come from trusting in our Lord and Savior. 

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, - Ephesians 5:18

Being filled with the Spirit is being controlled by a power greater than our own.  Even though the illustration or comparison to being drunk is negative, it is a powerful one that we all understand. When we're filled with anger or jealousy, we can't think of anything other than that emotion. When we're filled with joy, like at the birth of a child, we cannot think of anything else because we're so consumed with the emotion. This is what it means to be consumed or filled - the Spirit is to have all of me, as drunkenness would have all of me, or an emotion like anger or joy would have all of me. 

In all honesty, I can say there have been plenty of moments in my life where I have felt consumed by the Spirit - in my quiet time with Him, as I'm serving Him, in small group or at service, during worship - but those are moments. God wants us in a place where we are consumed by His Spirit ALL of the time. He is forever refining us toward that end. Every trial we face, every struggle we have, is moving us closer to the place where we are consumed by His Spirit in all that we do - not consumed by our jobs, not consumed by our children, or our trials, not consumed by our emotions or our relationships or our stuff - consumed by the Holy Spirit. 

God places regular tests of faith in front of His children, and He does this so that His Spirit may grow in us. If we want to walk by faith and not by sight, we must allow His Spirit to fill us to the brim every single day. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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