It’s futile trying to prove to a skeptic that God is real and active in your life. Few in this so-called ‘settled science’ era will give you an inch with your witness for Jesus. They’ll demand proof positive, which I have little to give. But so what? Neither can they substantiate beyond a shadow of a doubt that I’m not in a relationship with God. I throw it back at them. The ball is in their court. 

I remember attending a weekly pastor’s Bible study when a liberal minister bellows a loud poo-pooing at that morning’s reading from the Gospel of John. He’s dogmatic. His way or the highway. He has no time for giving the Bible the final say. He knows best. Truth in the Bible? Not on his watch. 

That’s when I open my mouth (yes, as big as it is, thank you!) and offer an alternative explanation, giving the Bible the benefit of the doubt. What? How dare I? Challenge his truth? Up he jumps, throws his chair against the breakfast table, and marches out in a huff you could feel all the way across town. How dare I question his genius. He never came back. 

I know that God is at work. Not only in my life or where I live, but everywhere. Always has been and always will be. No doubt about that in my mind. Jesus loves me this I know. How do I know? For the Bible tells me so. That’s where. Exactly where. Again, where? The Bible. 

I’ve decided to follow Jesus as it’s laid out for me in God’s Word. Do I understand everything? Not bothered by some doubts and questions? I wish. It’s only human to wonder and have some uneasiness about eternal things this side of heaven. Likewise, do I grasp how electricity works? Or how a plane can fly? Yeah, right! But uncertainty doesn’t hold me back from plugging in this computer or flying off for a brief holiday cruise with family this week. 

Take a gander at Psalm 77: 19. The writer Asaph praises the Lord for all He does in the Exodus event when God liberates His people from slavery in Egypt. Asaph says this–‘Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.’ Notice that last phrase–‘…your footprints were unseen.’ God acts even though I can’t see it directly. Again, no proof positive. So what? Too bad, so sad. I’m learning to live without direct, hands-on verification. Plain and simple, that’s called faith.  

Remember that someday believers will see Jesus face to face (1 Cor. 13: 12). Faith will no longer be needed. All the unexplained will be explained. The unseen will be seen as clear as a bell. Our questions will be clarified. Doubts will disappear. Or maybe it won’t matter in the sweet by-and-by? Who cares anymore about all my questions when I’m gazing lovingly at the face of Jesus in Paradise?

So, don’t worry about proving your faith. That’s an oxymoron, no offense! Trust and obey for there really is no other way that I’ve either tried or heard of. Rely on the only totally reliable One. After all, who needs more when we have Jesus and His Word? I don’t. Do you?

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being real to me. Enlarge my faith and help me to share you with others. In your name. Amen.