I’m asked the hard easy question, “Why do you believe in God?”
The answer is so much more than I can give.
My answer carved from life. Living the answer.
So I say, “We’ve met. I’ve experienced Him.”
No time for testimony, just a simple answer while hoping this young man was reading my countenance.
I sensed frustration with his personal theology. So many people cover up the image of God with their own sophisticated silhouette looking for answers that belong to the Higher One’s heart. I was once in the same place, looking for Jesus past the hypocrites . . . they got in my way of bowing.
The longer I live, the more I realize life is beyond our human ability. The frail and finite part of us convinced we must have all the answers, rather than taking Him at His Godness.
Belief is not logic. Satan preys on the moments of why and what if.
Maybe you’re an observer of miracles. Like me. Invisible evidence made clear without glasses. I can look back over my life and know it was God directing and protecting me. Especially so, when I look back to the alien girl on the distant path, who couldn’t transform or redeem herself.
I’m not that big.
So many things bombard us every day that try to make us not believe. We trust in our own strength and power . . . until we need to.
Even demons believe the reality of God, but faith is much more than God’s existence.
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble. James 2:19
The word believe means to remain steadfast, a firm persuasion, trust. I love the story of Abraham who first believed by making an invisible, personal choice. It was declared righteousness to him. We get to choose. Believing is a daily choice, not once and done.
It’s easier to say we believe than to explain why.
There are some questions that can’t be answered by google. How do you answer?
All I have is my story. . . . and His.
Verna
Verna,
A thought provoking blog. How do I respond to “Why?” ~ because it is the sometimes the one thing I can look to on the difficult days that never changes. I believe in God because He is, was, and always will be there and be the same. My location will change, but His is eternally the same. I believe because it is the hope one needs, especially when life is a challenge. I’m sure after more thought and prayer on this, my answer might change yet this is my gut response. 🙂
Lisa M Buske
http://LisaMBuske.com
Thank you, Lisa – the one thing we can look to that never changes. Your response blesses me.
Oh, I LOVE this, Verna!
“Especially so, when I look back to the alien girl on the distant path, who couldn’t transform or redeem herself. I’m not that big.” That is you and me and all of us! Alien, distant from God, unable to transform or redeem ourselves.
Blessings today as you stand as a light in a dark and dying world!
I’m smiling as I read your comment – you’re such a sister to stand so close. So encouraged by your comment!
Well said, Verna. We have all been there. “BUT FOR GOD”…Praise God that He does not leave us there. He does not desire for one to perish-we will trust Him for the souls of those who are blinded-He is faithful.
Thank you for this thought provoking truth.
yes, I was thinking of the story of the blind man healed by Jesus and when the Pharisees grilled him, he simply said he once was blind but now he was able to see. Like us. Thank you, Laura!
I believe in God because He opened my eyes to see Him. Otherwise, I know I’d be one of the most ardent of unbelievers, because my disposition is just naturally bent that way–far too insistent on my personal ideas of logic and rational thinking. God revealed Himself, and continues to reveal Himself, in amazing ways every day–but our hearts must be changed by the Holy Spirit to believe that, or it means nothing–like the dwarves in Narnia who would rather remain in the disgusting stable than enjoying the vast, beautiful eternity just outside.
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Romans 8:5
This doesn’t mean we ignore the physical world–far from it! But we can perceive it as it truly is, and see God’s beauty and sin’s curse in creation. And moreover, the Holy Spirit moves in a desire to be the hands and feet of Christ to live and tell the Good News as an agent of love and change. That also reveals that I believe, because on my own, I can be relentlessly apathetic, self-interested, and negatively introverted–but thanks be to God, who would never leave me in that place, but continues to grow, convict, and pour His love out on me to share with others.
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
C. S. Lewis
I would replace “Christianity” with “God.”
Janeen! I love your writing even while making a comment . . . the beautiful truth that our hearts must be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . and I love the slant on this with the dwarves in Narnia . . . love your blog! Keep writing!
I hope we see each other at Greater Philly this year.
Lord Willing, you shall! God has been pressing on me deeply that this is the year to really pitch this novel. It’s nearly, absolutely DONE–and it’s time for it to fly off like a happy little birdie and bless people.
Great reminder! 1Peter 3:15 NIV
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
. . . and yes, we need to be prepared to give the good and respectful answer of why we hope . . . thank you for sharing this good word, Lori!
Well said, Verna.
Thanks for the reminder that living what we believe speaks louder and longer than our words.
Write on.
And you speak loudly, dear missed one!
I have given this answer to those who ask. I somehow think they can’t fathom what I just said, and also think, “it’s for others not me.” Unworthiness?
I understand, Betsy . . . some may say they’re not good enough to have a relationship with God . . . in His love He makes them wrong!
Well written Verna. “All I have is my story and His”…Great Take Away. It’s true, you have to experience personally life with Christ before you realize how much you always needed Him. So glad He goes seeking that lost sheep one at a time, picks us up and carries us home. One day we will be there forever with the lover of our souls…Thanks for sharing! Hugs!
I love this and so identify with you! God chose me!! Came to me!! Called out to me!! Until you “experience” that. the world does not understand! I am a new believer! I thought I knew God but now I KNOW God! You can try to explain it to the world but again, until they experience this they can not understand the depth of what I am speaking! The belief is that you loose a lot when you believe in God but in all actuality you gain everything! And the “REST” is amazing! Such comfort! Such peace! Love your post~ ♥ ~
. . . and I love your comment! You are excited, Linda . . and I understand why!Thank you for your visit.