We are taught we have five senses: Touch, hearing, sight, smell and taste. Then we have the Apostle Paul who tells us in 2 Cor.5:7 that. “…we walk by faith, not by sight.” I think we have a spiritual sense too. Faith could be a sixth sense.
Looking at the photo, one might have a lot of questions. The door itself is old and worn from use and the elements. Many people have passed through it. But it is dark on the other side. Why go there? One can hope it is good, but the door itself is not naturally inviting.
What sort of anticipation brings people through it day after day, year after year?
As we face the beginning of another year, from my perspective, I think I can accurately say, this year 2015, has more questions out in front of me than answers compared to any other year in my life. So, where is God in this?
I believe that is where faith comes in. Hebrews 11:1 reads, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This is not about our wildest dreams. I believe this applies to the promises of God to us. We place our faith in our Creator, who made these promises. This sixth sense helps us understand His perfect ability to keep His word.
Granted, the answers do not always come the way we hope or expect, but they do come. When we remain open to possibilities beyond our preconceived notions, we allow Creator to enter our lives in fresh ways. The ways of the Holy Spirit can guide us into truth, peace, mercy, and yes. . . hope.
The door in the photo is to a large basilica in Italy where Saint Francis is buried. Hundreds or more people pass through that door every day. Many go looking for hope and assurance of their faith. We too are moving forward into the unknown. We do so by faith, not by sight. Every day is a new adventure. We can wake up with dread, or we can face each day, month and year with promises from our loving God.
“God will never leave us or forsake us.” Heb, 13:5
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13
Isaiah 30:18-21 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
These are just a few of my favorite promises. We trust in the God who made them, by faith, without seeing the end result. We walk this earth by faith every day, trusting we will keep breathing.
How do you “see” God sustaining you? What are your favorite promises from the Bible?
I bless you as you begin 2015 with the faith, this sixth sense, to receive a deeper knowledge of the love of God for you as you walk through the yet unknown doors. May you advance with the following from the Apostle Paul:
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
