Specific Texts: 2 Corinthians 4:4, 7-12, 18
There are two basic ways to fly an airplane - VFR (visual flight rules) and IFR (instrument flight rules). VFR is fine for beautiful sunny days like what we've had lately. The pilot can easily tell the difference between the sky and the ground, and he can see for miles and miles with no interference. All he really needs to do to fly the plane is look out the window.
The problem is that the sun doesn't shine every day of your life. Look in v8 at the words used to describe what you will face: you will be hard pressed, persecuted, perplexed, and struck down. You will spend much of your time flying through storms and fog (look at v4 - even on the most beautiful day, unbelievers are flying blind!). In these situations, trying to determine what to do by just looking out the window won't work.
In a dark and stormy situation, a pilot must rely on her instruments to tell her which way is up, and which direction to fly. Looking out the window at this point just becomes a distraction, as every bit of concentration must be focused on the instruments. However, the pilot can have confidence in those instruments and safely reach her destination by following them.
This is exactly how Paul is instructing you to fly through life. "Keep you eyes fixed on not what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (v18)" Stay focused on your instruments: reading God's Word daily, praying constantly, meeting regularly with God's people, getting better and better at discipleship. Flying by faith and not by sight will deliver you safely through the storm.
Prayer For The Day: Dear Father, help me to remember that I am blind to the truth on my own and that I need to rely completely on your guidance. Thank you for your Word, and thank you for your Church and the people who help guide me there. Help me to be a good guide in your name to those you have placed around me as well. Amen.