Live into It

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

What a unique statement: Live into It! My dear friend, Amy, uses this phrase daily as we text back and forth. At first, I didn’t quite get it. When I would send an encouraging text, she would always reply by texting, ‘I will live into it today.’ Little by little I began to understand that this was her way of affirming her faith walk.

Though we may not always feel very positive and upbeat, we must walk by faith. Truly we must live into it!

For me, it can be likened to going to a new church for the first time. We know that we are to be in a church family, but learning new names, church politics and beliefs can be an enormous challenge. The anxiety is real. (Do you remember?) What if I don’t fit in? What if I don’t like the message? If the people are not friendly, what will I do? Will one visit be enough? What should I say? How much should I share?

It became your church home because you were able to live into it! Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1, ESV).

And then came the time you and your spouse decided to start a family. (Do you remember?) You were young and did not know anything about raising a child. There were a million questions. You read the latest and greatest books on childrearing. Your parents gave you suggestions.

You became a good and responsible parent because you lived into it! Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6, ESV).

How about the time that you lost the love of your life to a terminal illness or accident? Your world fell apart. (Do you remember?) Unable to cope with reality, you cried out to God for help. His comfort and love covered you like a weighted blanket. Even when you wanted to stay in bed with the covers over your head, He sent friends to haul you out of your grief. They fed you when you didn’t feel like eating. They sat with you in silence because He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3, ESV). You learned to live into it!

Live into it! Whatever lies before you—even if you don’t totally understand, may you remember and learn to bless Him.

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Heavenly Father, thank You for your Love! Teach us to live into whatever lies ahead of us and to lean on You. AMEN.