Looking for Evidence - Martin Wiles

I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side. John 20:25 NLT

The evidence was overwhelming. We followed something we feared.

Panthertown Valley is just outside of Cashiers, North Carolina. If you’re looking for a directional sign, you’ll be disappointed. But my brother and I had directions. Numerous trails run through more than 10,000 acres of protected land, and we planned to hike one of them.

As we made our way along the trail, we noticed scat. Since it was filled with berries, we knew what kind of animal left it. Though we enjoyed the scenery, our eyes roamed our surroundings. Every noise caused our hearts to race and our eyes to dance. When we reached the end of the trail, a tree with claw marks greeted us. A bear scratching post. We never saw Smokey, but the evidence convinced us he was near.

Thomas wasn’t convinced by the evidence. Jesus had been resurrected from the grave. Women saw him—as did some of the other disciples, but eyewitness reports weren’t enough for Thomas. He wanted to see the marks. So Jesus showed him. Then Thomas felt ashamed that he’d asked.

The evidence for God’s existence seems overwhelming to me—but not all agree. When I look at nature and how natural laws operate according to an unseen plan, I wonder how anyone could doubt—or even deny, the existence of a Higher Being. Theologians disagree over the methods God used to create. Did He initiate a Big Bang or perhaps use evolution as His process? Or was everything a fiat act of creation out of nothing?

Jesus showed Thomas the evidence he asked for and listened as Thomas shamefully confessed Him as Lord and Savior. He should have believed without the evidence. God won’t appear to me and say, “Yes, I exist and created,” but He has given me enough evidence to know He does and did.

The evidence at Panthertown Valley convinced me and my brother a bear was in the area—whether we physically saw him with our eyes or not. The universe—along with a still small voice that speaks to my spirit, convinces me God exists, loves me, and wants to be included in my life. What I do with the evidence is up to me.

Evidence for God’s existence is overwhelming. Believe He exists and invite Him into your life.

Prayer: Father, we acknowledge You as the Creator and Governor of our universe and our lives. 

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