The Evidence

Posted by J on Dec 13, 2012 in J Posts | 2 comments

We’ve spent the last two days SEEING EVIDENCE of human life in Athens that stretches back more than 5,000 years. This is super real evidence — tools, pottery, whole buildings, ancient roads — things we can actually touch and walk around and regard or play Star Wars light saber duels inside.

Even our language has visible roots of ancient influence from Athens, like this: ancestors of the medical profession once worshiped a goddess named Hygiena.

Historical evidence is in every courtyard, on every street, across every view. There is some sort of ruin OUTSIDE MY HOTEL WINDOW. It’s impossible to miss that this sprawling history in Athens was once REAL … the day-to-day life things of living, breathing people.

Evidence like this was on my mind today after an Advent reading in Isaiah. In a prophecy, the people of God are told two great enemies have banded together and their new union is primed for attack. After they’re instructed to “Be careful, keep calm, and don’t be afraid,” God’s people are told:

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.

As we waded through touchable history in Athens … I realized that we have very little hard evidence of the One I believe has overcome history itself. No relics. No childhood homes. Nothing I can actually touch. I admit to you that these reflections were troubling. It was faith chewing, a good exercise perhaps … but hard nonetheless.

So in the end, how does faith really work? I don’t have a great answer for you. But I do have this: I need(ed) help, and my Savior came — comes — to save me. He didn’t come to build a wall that would stand for 2,012 years.

*I* am part of what stands after 2012 years. With Him.