Human intelligence is surely already capable of finding a response to the question of origins. The existence of God the Creator can be known with certainty through his works, by the light of human reason, even if this knowledge is often obscured and disfigured by error. This is why faith comes to confirm and enlighten reason in the correct understanding of this truth: “By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 286
To be completely honest, I don’t understand how atheists think. To deny the existence of God is to ignore the beauty of His creation in nature and the holes within our hearts which only He can fill. During my recent family summer vacation, I reflected on encounters I have had with atheists over the years, and the anger and passion they expressed in denouncing God’s existence while never offering a reasonable explanation for their disbelief.
The number of atheists are rapidly growing in today’s world. This is a tragedy. For any human being to deny God as our Creator and as the Heavenly Father who loves us is to choose a life in darkness. To look solely to our own intelligence and abilities as being sufficient unto themselves – without acknowledging the Divine Architect who gave us these gifts – is the ultimate expression of foolish and sinful pride. What is even sadder about many of the atheists I have observed is that they once had faith of some kind. They once believed in God. How did they make the transformation from belief to denial?
He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori
As I pondered this issue during lazy afternoons at the beach, I thought of the numerous occurrences in my own life where God’s existence, His love, His plan and His healing touch were “proven” and the intense feelings of gratitude each encounter with God has evoked:
- When each of my sons were born and I looked into their eyes for the first time, I knew without a doubt that God had created these beautiful children and placed them in the care of me and my wife.
- When I have quality time with my younger son and try to help him become a faith-filled man with his eyes firmly on Heaven, I am thankful to God for the vocation of fatherhood He has given me.
- When I spend time with my older son who has high functioning autism, I am grateful for God’s gifts of patience, acceptance, a loving heart and the countless opportunities to learn from my special child.
- When I hold my wife’s hand, watch her care for our children or talk about our future, I am grateful to God for giving me this woman I love and my partner for life.
- When I reflect on my twenty-three years in the spiritual wilderness when I pridefully said “No” to God before the life changing surrender I experienced in 2005 during my first Mass, I am very grateful for God’s great capacity for mercy and forgiveness.
- Finally, when I think about the years since that surrender, I am grateful to God for allowing me to experience a life made immeasurably better by the life-changing power that comes from saying “Yes” to His Divine will.
Do we take God’s role in our lives for granted? Are we looking for Him? Do we slow down enough to experience Him? Do we spend time with God in prayer?
I encourage every reader of this post to find quiet time as soon as possible to reflect on where God is in our lives right now. What is God trying to teach us? How can we honor and serve Him through our actions today?
Please consider carefully the special moments in your life where God was present in a powerful way. What did I learn? Did I thank Him for the blessings? If we are to counter the growth of atheism, we must reignite our passion for God and share it with all to see. Indifference to God, which many suffer from today, is inexcusable.
“The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers.”
St. Maximilian Kolbe
God created us. He is a Father who loves His children beyond measure. He gave His only Son in the ultimate sacrifice on the Cross to die for our sins. He most certainly exists.
It is undeniable.
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