On the way out of our second service yesterday, one of our 20-something worshippers stopped and asked me a question – How do I know if God is still there? Wow! Not the kind of thing we can answer easily on the way out the door, because this is one of the most essential and troubling aspects of being a person of faith – how do know where God is? Or if God even is? Sometimes, the question becomes a statement – There is no God! For as long as humanity has thought about an eternal being, I have a feeling that this question has been asked every moment of every day. Two of my favorite books on the subject – “The Dark Night of the Soul” by 16th century mystic St. John of the Cross, and “A Cry of Absence” by 20th century theologian Martin Marty – address this question. How we answer it can either crush or soothe our souls.
My quick answer to him was that we don’t really know – we cannot prove if God is with us. I also told him that every person I have ever known – including myself – has asked this question. For me, I said, it is a matter of faith; we can’t prove that God exists, even though lots of people try to use human processes to convince themselves and others of the existence of God. We might look at nature for affirmation, but nature can be cruel. And human behavior? That’s a mixed bag. Then I told him this – part of our problem with believing in God is that we have been taught that God is in control – that God will take care of us and protect us from harm – that all we need to do as ask and God will give us what we want, like the proverbial Genie. Honest people admit that none of this is true.
For me – again, we all experience God is different ways – God is present in everything. God is with me when I experience joy and when I have pain. God is with me, giving me strength and courage to work through the challenges of life. God doesn’t do things for me – God doesn’t keep me from harm – but God does weep with me and walk with me and laugh with me and experience loss with me. God makes suggestions – God gives direction – God creates all options – but I have to choose. And – this is the tough part – even when I choose well, bad things can happen. I don’t expect God to be the bubble wrap around my body to keep me from harm. God is the hand that gently leads and holds and high-fives my existence. God is everywhere, even when I feel alone. We just have to keep swimming.
Prayer – Thank You God, for trusting me enough to take on life with You by my side. Amen.
Today’s art is “The Ancient Gods Light the Sun” by Dari Ja.