I came across this mug online. Someone was selling them as a missions fundraiser. The little quip really resonated with me, so I bought one. The back has “2 Corinthians 5:7” on it which says, "for we walk by faith, and not by sight."
Several verses from chapter 5 stuck out to me…
Verse 1 says, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Boy, hasn't our family learned this?! Our earthly home wasn't destroyed by a tornado or fire, but it was destroyed by mold. It will be made right again (it's just going to take an exorbitant amount of money!), but in the meantime we had to leave our earthly home behind. Verse 1 is a wonderful reminder that the things of earth are not eternal. Yes, it's been very hard to leave our earthly home that we lived in for 14 years (and most of our possessions) and worked so hard to make a home. But what a comfort to know that those things are not what matters most. Each of my children has an eternal home in Heaven being prepared for them because they have placed their trust in Christ as Savior! I'll give up every one of my possessions for that gift!
Verses 6 and 7 say, "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith and not by sight." Be of good courage...that means to boldly have confidence. Confidence in what? Confidence that while we carry out the work God has for us here on earth, He is preparing an eternal home for us. A home with Him. So, we continue to walk out our God-given purpose here on earth, not because we can always see the ending or even understand the journey, but by faith because we can have bold confidence that God will never forsake us and He is preparing our eternal home in Heaven.
The walk God is taking our family on is sometimes really, really hard. Sometimes I'm not sure I can take another step! But along the walk, He has shown us some really good places-both literally and figuratively. The Ponderosa is full of beauty that we are surrounded with daily! Our church family has surrounded us with love and support. I have no idea what the earthly destination of this journey is going to be, but I know that no matter where it takes us it, it will be a good place because God is good.
