Does God exist? Allow that question to sink in for a moment. I believe most of us have wrestled with God’s existence at some point in our lives. After all, we are taught that God is love, so how could a loving God allow hardships like death, divorce and abuse to happen? Having a scientific mind, I question everything and I find there are few definitive answers; only more questions!

Several years ago I was having a conversation with a client who is a brilliant scientist. At one point we started talking about faith. My client stated, “You know, as a scientist, I’m really sort of an atheist. I believe in what I can demonstrate scientifically and that doesn’t include a deity.” I replied, “Okay, I understand. But let me ask you a question. Have you ever experienced love?” He immediately replied, “Of course!” I calmly asked him to write out the chemical formula for love. He smiled, but obviously couldn’t comply. Then I said, this is what faith in God looks like: our faith tells us God is real, but we can’t prove it.

Wouldn’t it be great to have concrete proof of God’s existence? What if we witnessed miracles akin to Moses parting the Red Sea? Or how about He grants every prayer prayed immediately. God would be the ultimate vending machine. But if faith worked that way it wouldn’t be called faith. I’m not certain what you would call it, but I know it wouldn’t require any effort from us.

Consider the disciples for a moment. The disciples were along for the ride when Jesus restored eyesight to the blind, healed the sick, cast out demons and raised the dead! Yet the disciples were filled with doubt and fear when Jesus was arrested and killed. Jesus warned them of this, saying, “Your faith will be shaken (Mark 14:27).” I believe Jesus’ message was meant for us, too. After Jesus rose from the dead, He restored their spirits and their faith was solid. Many of the disciples died horrible deaths because of their now unshakable faith.

I would suggest we can see God’s hand in our lives when we take inventory of our past. Think of the people who have been put in your life at just the right moment, times that you have avoided an accident; or in my case, some awful auto accidents I have had where I should have been killed or disabled, yet I walked away complete. I know it gets frustrating when it doesn’t feel like God is working in our lives. But consider this: in Isaiah 60:22 God says, “When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” That’s good enough for me…