How do we manage to live? Why do we struggle? Why do we not just live as the pagans among us, for they eat, and drink, and love their inamoratae. They are happy. They have nicer toys. And they look at our concerns and care and think we are crazy.

Because living as Christ is impossible. It requires we are perfect: we are fallen. As if seeking to be righteous — to be as holy as the saints — is not a worthy goal.

For we are not to live by sight, but by faith.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

(Hebrews 11:1-12 ESV)

We show our faith by our actions. We show this by speaking as true as we can. We don’t blame our tools, nor do we ignore the risks around us. In this time, to marry requires that you look for a faithfulness unseen. To have children requires a trust that God will allow you to raise the next generation as Godly — though you know, in your bones, that you are ungodly.

Faith is what we put our trust in. I have seen shares crash. I have seen property prices fall, and people left ‘underwater’, owing more than their house is worth despite putting their savings into the building, and being conservative in what they bought.

And I have seen politicians say they honour the law, but bend it to the point of breaking so they meet the interests of their party and funders. In New Zealand.

We need to trust God. That he is faithful: that his word is true. That his advice is is our best interests. And live that way. For our faith is shown by our actions.