The Proof of Experience

⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ¹⁰ You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! ¹¹ I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. -Galatians 4:9-11

It's THAT time of year when "scholars" and their reports come out of the woodwork challenging Christian beliefs.  Yesterday I read a news article stating that a scholar has proved that the Last Supper actually happened on Wednesday, not Thursday as we celebrate.  And this morning I read something that comes up nearly every year... that the word "Easter" comes from the name of the pagan goddess "Eostre."

Indeed, if we delve into the history of religion in general and Christianity in particular, we can find many things that might disturb us.  Things that might make us question our faith a whole lot more than mere word etynmologies or timelines.

It is not wrong, however to question.  It's not some terrible sin to study exactly how Christianity today has received its shape.  God is not afraid of our questions and it is a weak faith that fears knowledge.  As faithful followers of Christ, we have something more than history to rely on for our assurance.  We have experience.

I cannot deny what my spiritual senses have proved to me are true.  As surely as I can touch my granddaughter with my fingertips to prove she is real, I can touch my Lord with my fingers of faith.  As surely as I can hear Cecelia say, "I love you, Kaymee" I can hear God speak to my heart when I pray.  I have experienced God in so many ways over my lifetime that no matter what I learn about the history of Christianity, it doesn't shake the foundation of my faith. 

Who cares whether the last supper was on Wednesday or Thursday?  Who cares where the word Easter came from?  The fact is, God loves us so much that he became flesh and died and rose again so that we can get on with the happy business of loving God and loving one another without being distracted by having to earn brownie points for heaven.

Father,
Thank you for those experiences in my life that I may remember when my faith feels weak.  Help us to recognize those experiences so we may hold on to them.  Amen.

Joys:  gorgeous weather; another Cecelia day; sleeping late