Why Should I Believe in God?

I've been thinking a lot about why I believe in God, and I decided, spur of the moment, to write out a short post on my reasons for why there is a God. Here I am, sitting again in the library before orchestra practice. This time, I am still tired, but not only am I tired, I am starting to feel sick. I believe I'm catching a cold. No mi gusta, no quiero mas. I want to go home, but I can't, and what's more, I only have half an hour before I need to go to orchestra practice.

 

You know, I talked with probably the smartest and most intellectual men I know the other week. He's not tall, but wiry with a beard. His sense of style goes perfectly with his personality, with scarves and cool professor glasses. The way he looks into my eyes when we talk, and continually asks why to my statements is almost unnerving. But I don't think there's a person alive who challenges me more, and who really makes me think. I had to think about that statement, too, because now I have a professor at school who makes me think, and of course there's my most wonderful Uncle Paul who gives me much opportunity to discuss every thought-provoking topic. But this cousin of mine has given me much reason to question my beliefs. His continual asking, "Why?" to my statements makes me rethink everything for myself... When we sat through church the other Sunday, he asked me, "Why should I believe in God? Why should I be a Christian?"

Believe me, that question haunted me for days. Not because I wasn't able to answer him honestly, but because my answer didn't mean anything to him. Let me tell you why. I thought about how to answer him for a while. We got our food, and I thought. See, I thought, he doesn't care about heaven or hell, or the afterlife - that isn't any motivation for him. (Besides, I told myself, that isn't even your reason for believing in God... why should that be a reason for anyone else?) He doesn't need Christianity for morals - he is a moral and by most standards, quite good person. He is extremely self-disciplined, self-motivated; he has done great things in his life, and he is raising great, loving, sweet kids... He doesn't need God to make him better.

Do you know what I told him? I told him that he doesn't need God. No, not the way you're thinking. Of course he needs God. But right now, he doesn't need God. He doesn't need God until he sees his sin, and sees his need for a Savior, and he doesn't need God until he sees he cannot perfectly love without the King of love and beauty. Until then, he doesn't need God.

I don't believe that was a perfect answer, but it was the only answer I had, and the only answer I still can think of.

Thus, here are my reasons for why I believe in God. To some, this religion is a crutch, and to others, an admittance of neediness. Perhaps, but to me this is my life.

I believe in God because if there were no perfect loving Father, there would be no purpose to my life, and I would have to kill myself. I could not live without a purpose and a knowledge that my Father has all this in His control - that He will turn everything out for good in the end. Without this knowledge, life would be worthless, and I would never have true joy. Essentially, it is a choice to believe in God. A choice made up of faith, and in my sight, it takes more faith to believe this world has happened by chance, that there is no God, no purpose, no afterlife, no ability to overcome this cycle of hurt, pain and sin. I do not believe in God so that I have a moral standard, and I don't believe in Him because I'm scared of hell and desirous of heaven. No, I believe in Him because I find myself falling madly in love with His perfect goodness and purity. I believe in Him because in order to follow Him, I must believe in Him. And believe in Him I must, because what other choice do I have when I am face to face with such perfect love?