Do you know the verse? 2 Corinthians 5:7 says “For we live by faith, not by sight.” The NLT puts it this way: ‘For we live by believing and not by seeing.” Some translations use “we walk by faith…” which I like the imagery of. For we are pilgrims, citizens of heaven, and sojourners on terra firma.

If we walk by faith it stands to reason we need to be followers of Jesus, so that we would know what to do, how to walk. And implied in all this is that we trust Jesus to lead us, even when we would say, “not sure about this Jesus.” Here’s a short excerpt from The Chosen to illustrate my point.

What we would choose is not necessarily what Jesus would choose. And so we need His guidance and example. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus promises another counsellor, referring to the Holy Spirit taking His place, he uses one of two words in the Greek for another.

“Alos” – another of the same kind and “Heteros” – another of a different kind. Jesus uses the word Alos – the Holy Spirit will be another counselor but like HIm. Following Jesus is guided by one who is like Jesus.

Jesus tells his listeners that the path we need to be on is narrow and not many find it. So we need to be aware, awake, in tune with The Holy Spirit’s guidance.

That’s where the example of Moses and the Children of Israel comes in handy – they left Egypt to follow God, but they kept insisting on “their own way”. They complained, they rebelled. And most of them died in the desert. While it took a short time to get out of Egypt, it took a long time for Egypt to get out of them.

Being a pilgrim is a lifetime pursuit. Follow, stay to the narrow path, listen to The Holy Spirit, beware the tendency to drift.

And in case that seems hard – Jesus reminds us to trust Him for He has overcome the world.