I had someone ask me why I believed in God a while back in a way that was meant to challenge my views. I stumbled over my words and left the situation feeling so dumb. How could I claim to have lived something for almost all of my life and not be able to put into words the 'why' behind my beliefs? So, that is the question that I've been mulling over for the past year or so and here is what I think:
The person I was talking to wanted to know why I believed based on scientific evidence. Well...if you know me at all, you know that science is NOT my thing. Don't get it and don't really care to. So you can imagine that I didn't have a lot of debating material in the forefront of my mind when the question came up and I still don't (although I have done some reading and research to strengthen the scientific side of my beliefs), but I do KNOW why I believe...
- because God didn't have to make a giraffe with a long neck and spots; He has a sense of humor and values uniqueness
- because I see the sunrise in my rearview mirror on my way to work in the morning and it reminds me of 2 things: 1) that God cares enough to paint the sky and 2) that His mercies are new every morning
- because I can see the awesome power of a thunderstorm
- because I can go to the 'Bodies' experience and leave wondering how anyone can think that all of THAT happened by accident
- because I have experienced God blessing me with a husband, a home, a job, a wonderful family
- because I have experienced the 'peace that passes all understanding' when it doesn't make sense
- because I get the honor of looking into the eyes of children everyday and am reminded to have the faith of a child
- because I watched my mom expereince the loss of my grandma with a grace and strength that only makes sense when you know that your mom has confidence in the heaven where grandma is spending eternity
- because I experienced the loss of a student and could still see the power of God at work through that storm
- because God has continued His faithful work on me; growing me into the godly woman I long to be by patiently teaching me lesson after life lesson
My conclusion is that God gives us plenty all around us every day to confirm His awesome power and existence, we just have to have open eyes, ears and hearts to recognize it. The real truth is that we won't ever know all the ins and outs and I think that is for our own good. God knows we couldn't handle it. But, He also knew that faith would be hard, so in His great love he sprinkles our day with glimpses of His grace, faithfulness and love.
My goal is to try and keep a running list of the ways I see God in my day to day life. Feel free to join me, it is sure to brighten your day!
Romans 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
