6So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Yesterday a student shared how she just could not imagine living without sight, without the joy and pleasure of colours. I agree. Yet, the life of following Jesus is to follow One whom we have not seen. Can you imagine following someone you have not seen?

Living by faith is the way of the Christian. It is rooted in our relationship with God who is unseen. Paul describes the courage, the heart and passion, that is generated by the promise of our eternal life with God guaranteed by the Holy Spirit who is with us now. There is a certain tentativeness that accompanies walking in the dark or blindfolded. But Paul wants the followers of Jesus to develop an ease with the ways of faith.

Though we may yearn for the day when our faith becomes sight, we live now with a desire to please God. Living by faith then is occupied with the intent to please God because of the certainty of God’s graceful acceptance of us in Christ. Now we can live “at home” with Him, as indeed we will be “at home” with Him.