Although we see evil everywhere we turn, we also see good everywhere we turn. It can emerge from the darkest corners with amazing power.
We see the impact of even the smallest act of kindness and are amazed.
We see the beauty, richness, and variety of nature. We see the enormity of all of creation, its awesomeness, order, and intricacy, and we wonder about God.
We see hints of God in people, in amazing acts of generosity, self-sacrifice, courage, and devotion.
We see hints of God in some of our own creations. Music and art can set our spirits soaring.
Children delight us with their freshness and freedom -- and we think, "There must be a God."
We even get hints of God in the exhilaration of sports.
When we're participating, there are times when we get in the groove and everything flows. It's heaven.
As spectators, we can experience the joy of losing ourselves in the event. We identify completely with a person or team, even if only for a while. There is intense community - a hint of life with God who links us all together.
We get a sense of there being something bigger than ourselves.
We get a whiff of the infinite.
We get hints of God, but - for a lot of us - that's all we get.
How do we take the hint and accept the reality?
What would it even mean to say that we believe in God?
It feels like a risky thing to do. We're afraid of what we'd lose.
But if God is real, there might be something wonderful to gain. If God is real, we need to deal with him.
If he is real, he knows each one of us, and he knows all of our excuses for avoiding him.
The amazing thing is that God accepts us right now, as we are. He will gladly forgive us for having ignored him and joyfully welcome us home.
We only need to take the hint and acknowledge Him:
"Yes, God. I believe you're there. I want to know you more, even if it means I have to change some things. I'm willing to say yes to you, to say yes to goodness. Thank you for your acceptance and forgiveness of me. I know I don't deserve it."
And the journey is begun - or maybe just refreshed.
God will lead the way as you start taking the hints that he gives. Just pay attention, and try not to argue with him too much. It will just slow you down.
Read on . . .