Why do I Believe?

A few weeks ago I was sitting with a homeless man that happened to be an atheist. We got into a discussion about it of course, as these people love to talk religion. We shifted from topic to topic, anything from homosexuality to miracles to heaven. And then he asked me something that really stopped me.

"So why? Why do you believe in God? Why do you believe in a God that can do miracles?"

I was stunned. Why couldn't I answer?

My mind went blank. I stuttered and stumbled over my words for a while, then finally admitted that I wasn't sure why.

WHAT??

I've been in church since I was 5! How could I not come up with an answer for this man?

I felt like a failure of a Christian. Like I let God down.

And the funny thing? I know why I love Him. In my heart. But I couldn't think of a way to explain it to him. An atheist.

I answered that way because I wanted to be honest. I didn't want to start speaking Christian-ese, making up something that sounds super-spiritual and flowery. So I said I didn't completely know. He seemed to respect this somehow.

It's plagued me for days, and maybe this seems like a very basic problem with a extremely solution, but I wanted to find out why I, personally, believe in God. A God of miracles.

Again, I know why I do in my heart. Very clearly. But I needed a way to explain with words what was in my heart, in a way that would make sense to him.

Yesterday it hit me.

I believe in God......

Because He believes in me. He believed in me first.

He believes in me!

Everyone in this world can identify with that statement.

Why?

Because everyone needs to be believed in. Everyone wants someone to believe in them, to tell them that they have what it takes, to tell them that they are worth more than they think.

This is why I believe in God. Because He believes in me.

This is my confession of faith. I believe in God and I believe that He does miracles.

And if I see this man again? I'm gonna tell him. Because I am not ashamed.

My Father believes in me.