Steady Steps in the Shadows

 

For we live by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 

When Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 5:7—“We live by faith, not by sight”—he was writing to a community under pressure. The Corinthian believers were caught in a swirl of confusion, criticism, and hardship. Paul himself had been misunderstood, slandered, and deeply afflicted (see 2 Corinthians 1:8–9). Yet he spoke with astonishing confidence—not because his path was easy or clear, but because he had learned to fix his hope not on what was seen, but on what was eternal. His aim was clear: “We make it our goal to please Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:9)

There are seasons in life when God feels vividly present—when prayers flow easily, the path feels clear, and joy overflows. But these moments are rare. More often, the life of faith unfolds in the quiet, the ordinary, and even the hidden. True faith isn’t proven in glowing moments, but in choosing obedience when the light has faded and heaven seems silent. We are not called to chase inspiration—we are called to walk faithfully, even in the shadows.

This steady walk of faith requires maturity. Eugene Peterson observes, “Life is ambiguous. There are loose ends… It takes maturity to live with the ambiguity and the chaos, the absurdity and the untidiness.” We often want clarity, closure, or a sense of arrival. But life rarely ties up neatly. If we demand resolution, we may shut out “the hazards of faith, the mysteries of God.” When we insist God must repeat past experiences, we reveal that it’s not really God we want—it’s the feeling. But God calls us deeper: to trust Him in the unfinished, to serve Him without spotlight, to believe even when we cannot see.

Surprisingly, it is in this kind of faith that God most delights. God’s presence doesn’t depend on our perception. As we do our duty—without glamour, without applause, without the “flush of inspiration”—we find that God was always near. We don’t live for rare moments; we live for Him. And in time, we discover that faith, not feeling, leads to fullness.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

We confess that we often long for signs and sensations instead of simple obedience. Teach us to walk by faith, not by sight. Give us grace to let go of our craving for constant inspiration, and strengthen us to do our duty with joy and trust. Assure us with Your presence as we step forward, steady and unseen, knowing You are with us every step of the way.

Amen .