Experience is Believing

Text: 1 Peter 1:8
Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, (NRSV)

We have all heard the saying, “Seeing is Believing”.  Although, if you have ever been to a magic show, you know that even a simple saying like that has its exceptions.  But for the most part, seeing is believing.

Most of us want evidence for the things in which we believe.  It is a built-in trait and the motto of Missouri, the “Show Me” state, to seek confirmation instead of taking other people’s beliefs at face value.  However, I would say that “seeing” extends beyond the physical realm which could actually fool us, as in the example of magic tricks, and extends into the realm of experience.

I have never physically “seen” God in any form, Father, Son, or Holy Spirit, but I have experienced God’s presence in my life.  Even though I have not seen God, I have known the love of God poured into me when I have felt unlovable.  Even though I have not seen God, I have had my anxieties relieved when I have sought God out in prayer.  Even though I have not seen God, I have been given moments of insight when I could not navigate a problematic situation on my own.  Even though I have not seen God, through God’s love given to me, I have received forgiveness and have been empowered to forgive when my relationship with another should have been beyond repair.  Although I have not seen God, I can tell you that there has been more than one time that I have felt something that is hard to describe that suddenly caused me to take an action that averted disaster and, more than likely, death, that could have only been God’s presence with me.

I do not need to physically see God in order to have known God in my life.  Although I have not seen him, I love him; and even though I do not see him now, I believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious Joy.

Where have you “seen” God at work in your life?  What stories can you tell about God with the confidence of someone who has experienced God’s presence?  How do you experience God in your day to day living?

Pray with me:

God of power and God of love, thank you for the gift of your presence that lives within me.  I praise you for the way I can experience your love, calm, wisdom, empowerment, and care that bring me to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are God.  AMEN.