Experience

Frederick Buechner said, "It is not the objective proof of God's existence that we want but the experience of God's presence. That is the miracle we are really after, and that is also, I think, the miracle that we really get." Much like the relationship with our earthly parents, we are comforted when we understand our parents are close by and are interested in our activities. This is the basis of care and discipline; it is difficult to accept discipline from someone we think does not care for us. We accept God cares for us when we can perceive His presence. For Christians His presence is within us, the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us how much He cares for us, and it speaks to us anytime we are ready to listen, for the Holy Spirit will reveal those teachings as we are able to accept them. One goal of the Holy Spirit is to mold us for the next location of our existence, heaven.