Proof

Many skeptics and doubting believers ask this question: How can you prove the existence of God?

Walking back to the library from lunch, it occurred to me that this question reveals itself to be quite silly when asked in a different context. How can you prove the existence of your natural father? Or of Frank? Or Cathy? Or anyone?

No amount of metaphysical rigmarole will ever trump the simple statement: He's standing right there!

Some may answer that you can't actually see God, whereas you can see Frank or Cathy. True, to an extent. The man who shuts his eyes tight won't see them. If we deny the organs of sight, of course we won't see anyone.

The same applies to God. How many skeptics have actually tried to see God? How many struggling believers have actually tried to see God? Have they opened their spiritual eyes?

For two thousand years untold numbers of men and women have entered monasteries and convents to devote their lives to Christ. Even more have lived the Christian life in the world, while not of the world. These people can see the "struggles" of Christian life. And yet they stick with the Church.

How many who have prayed end up atheists? Most of us end up sinners and deny God's Sovereignty and Fatherhood with our actions, it's true. But I think few of those who have ever prayed ever deny God's existence.

Because they have seen God. So the next time you hear someone ask for proof of God, perhaps it would be wise to ask him if he's ever actually looked for God.