In the beginning, God created the heavens and the

earth. (Genesis 1:1 NIV)

In Grand Haven, Michigan, where I live, is a tall hill known as Five

Mile Hill. The reason they call it that is because before there was a

lighthouse in Grand Haven someone had to go to the top of that hill

with a lantern to guide ships into the harbor. Five miles was how far

away people on a ship could see the light of a lantern being held up on

the top of this hill.

From the top of Five Mile Hill is an incredible panoramic view of

Grand Haven and the surrounding area. One day when I was at the top

of this hill, I looked out to the west and began enjoying the beauty of

Lake Michigan. I could see the sparkling-blue waters of the lake stretch

down to the horizon and out to the west. People come and see beautiful

sunsets with a vast variety of breathtaking colors.

As I was enjoying this colorful display of beauty, I looked over to

the right, and I saw the channel where the Grand River deposits into

Lake Michigan. On either side of the river, I saw the two piers of Grand

i

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Haven. The south pier uniquely stands out with the very recognizable

two red lighthouses and catwalk that runs to the end of the pier.

As I gazed at the beauty of the two Grand Haven Piers, it came to my

mind that those piers exist for more reasons than just for their beauty.

Those piers were not always there. Somebody came up with the idea for

a pier, and they had a reason for building them. There are functional

reasons why they exist, where they exist, and subsequently how they

were built. These piers were created with purpose and meaning.

Someone also created the big lighthouse at the end of the south pier

for a reason. That pier and lighthouse would not exist if there were not

reasons and a purpose behind their existence.

You can also look to the east and north from Five Mile Hill and

see the city of Grand Haven below. There, you can overlook the streets

and houses, neatly stacked in rows, and farther off to the left, you can

see the stores located in downtown Grand Haven.

And again, it came to my mind that all these things exist for a

purpose and a reason. These things would not exist if it were not for

that purpose and reason. That these things exist at all is evidence that

there was someone with a purpose and reason behind their creation.

I could also see people and cars going down the road, and I wondered

why they were there. There must be a reason—some purpose for them

being there.

Likewise, I could see all kinds of plants and trees of various shapes

and sizes. As I took it all in, I saw that it was all quite beautiful. But I

have also learned that there is more to their existence than just beauty’s

sake. There is a reason for their existence. They have purpose and

meaning for their existence that gives them a value beyond what just

meets the eye.

The plants and trees are taking carbon monoxide out of the air

and producing the oxygen we need to live and breathe. There are

valuable reasons for their existence, and subsequently that is evidence

that someone created them.

I exist. You exist. These facts give evidence that someone created

us for a reason. Like everything else in creation, there is purpose and

reasons behind our existence.

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The number one belief of biblical Christian faith is that God exists

and is the Creator of all things. He is a living spiritual presence among

us who not only created things the way they are, but His presence and

power are also what holds things in the order and the interactive states

in which we find them.

The belief that God the Creator exists is the number one foundational

element of Christian faith. God is the intelligence, the reason, and the

creating power behind everything that exists. Life and each thing in

creation have meaning and purpose because God created everything

for a reason. Both you and I have value, meaning, and purpose because

God has wonderfully created us for His purposes.

The concept of the existence of one God who created everything is a

belief that all Christians trust to be true. If this Christian belief is true,

we have come to know it is true only because God has revealed Himself

to us. If this belief is not true, no religious or theological teaching has

any significant meaning or value.

effect of wind in the air. I cannot see the wind, but I see the effects of

the wind. When the presence of the wind is strong, I feel it. I can see it

in the trees and the rustling of leaves around me. Even though I cannot

see the wind, I can feel it on my face, and I know it is there. We can

experience unseen things. When the wind is calm, I do not notice it,

and someone who has never experienced its presence could even argue

that it does not exist. Sometimes in my life, the presence of God has

been extraordinarily strong, and at other times, the only evidence of the

presence of God was my faith.

The existence of God in creation is shown using the concept of

cause and effect. Every action creates a reaction. Like every step leaves

a footprint, I see God’s footprints all over His creation. The intricacy of

do not understand everything about Him. The concept of a creator is

what makes rational sense based on the things I do know from my own

experiences to be true.

The self-revelation of the existence of God to me has been like the

with an enormous amount of evidence t that He exists, even though I

of faith or a random choice of beliefs. I believe God has provided us

My belief in the existence of God, however, is not just a blind leap

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nature, of science, of all interactive systems in our world, and even the

interactive complexities of our human bodies, is evidence of intelligence

beyond this world.

The example of the miracle of birth, when a unique spiritual being

enters this world through the womb, is evidence of something more

than a mere biological event. A spiritual being, who can reason and

communicate, has entered the world through the miracle of birth.

Someone made things the way they are, the way they work, and

the way they interact with each other. That intelligence, that someone,

that designer, that energy that runs the universe, is God our Creator.

Let me explain further with an example of a painter. When I see a

painting, I see something that someone has created, not something that

has always existed. I see evidence of a level of intelligence and reason in

the painting. I see that the creator of the painting made choices of what

to show in the painting, what colors to use, the shade of light, and so

and nature of an intelligent God. A far greater stretch is to believe that

everything exists as it does because of an explosion that just happened

to leave things as they are.

I believe God exists, and I also believe He wants us to know He

exists and is more than willing and able to reveal Himself to anyone

open to this truth. When I say that I have faith in God, I am saying I

trust my belief that God the Creator exists is an objective truth—it is a

reality. There is purpose and reason behind our existence.

Some in the scientific community believe and teach that when

the scientific, empirical evidence is studied, we can trace our existence

back to what they have named the big bang. They say that a long time

ago—several billion years ago—there was a big bang, an explosion that

evidence of intelligence, an order of things that is true, and an order

of things that is maintained. Why d does two plus two equal four? It

is because that is the way God made it. It adds up. It makes sense. It

has a functional purpose and meaning. It is evidence of the existence

Similarly, when I add two plus two and get four, I see additional

of God (Job 12:7, 10; Psalm 19:1, 4; Romans 1:20).

on. Just like a painting, the whole creation is evidence of the existence

and glory of God. The whole creation declares the existence and glory

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created the entire universe as we know it. They do not know exactly why

it happened, or what existed before the big bang, but when it happened,

everything that exists was created.

Now I believe that is a fine theory, and I feel no need to argue the

point on their terms. If it is true, I believe what existed before the bang

and the reason for the bang was God! God is the cause and reason

behind everything that exists (Hebrews 11:3).

Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and

the earth.” I do not doubt there was a big bang too when God said, “Let

there be light,” and suddenly there was light (Genesis 1:3)!

I believe a scientific discovery will never be a real threat to the belief

in God as the Creator. Science is only examining the footprints of God.

Every detail discovered through scientific inquiries is only learning how

God created things and maintains things as they are. Each accurate

scientific discovery only adds to the wonder, power, and glory of our

Creator.

I dare you—no, I double dare you—to dream up any scenario

about the origin of our existence, and I guarantee you will still have

to conclude one of two things: (1) the why or reason behind your

theory will have to be the concept of God or (2) there is no why or

intelligence of our Creator.

The existence of God is what gives life purpose and meaning. God

created the heavens and the earth for a reason. There are purposes and

reasons behind everything God created. God created mankind and gave

us life for a reason.

That you and I are here makes us precious because like everything

else, there is a reason someone has created us. Contrarily, a world

without God would have no purpose or meaning at all.

What makes sense to you? Do you believe there is a God? Do you

believe there is an intelligent creator behind all that exists?

I believe it is important that you consider this question yourself and

decide for yourself, what do you believe? What makes sense to you? Do

reason behind our existence. If you decide to believe there is no reason

behind our existence, then nothing matters anyway. If you decide there

is a Creator, everything that exists is a testament to the power and

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you believe there is a God? Do you believe there is an intelligence with

power that created everything that exists for a reason?

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

Do you? Why?

By faith, we understand that the universe was formed

at God’s command so that what is seen was not made

out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3)

And without faith, it is impossible to please him,

for whoever would draw near to God must believe

that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

(Hebrews 11:6)

understanding of our existence. We experience the benefits of this truth

when this belief becomes the foundation of our faith, and we daily trust

God, the Creator and the designer of all things that exist, and who is

still with us here and now.

When I am confronted at times by the fact that many things that

can affect my life are out of my control, I begin dealing with it by

When I meditate on how God our Creator understands everything,

has the power to do anything, and is in control of everything, I enjoy the

spiritual blessings of the peace and comfort that comes from knowing

all creation is not out of control. It gives me confidence that we are not

helplessly vulnerable to random catastrophes. A creator is in control

of all things that have been created. I believe the Creator spoken of in

scripture exists, and I intentionally trust daily that to be true in my

heart and mind.

In creation, we discover God designed us with needs that must be

met for us to live. We also discover, in the creation, how those needs are

being met by God as well. I do not believe the things needed to sustain

life on this planet are a fortunate coincidence of chance. I believe that

consciously trusting this belief that we are not alone in this world.

this truth requires more than just saying, “I believe God exists.” This

truth must be internalized and incorporated into our thinking and

To fully realize and experience the comforting spiritual blessing of

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our needs and how these needs are being met are part of the intentional

design of our Creator. The presence and power of God Almighty holds

everything together as it exists. God designed, created, and maintains

the environment needed to support life.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

Do you?

I believe God will reveal himself to all who desire to know the

Truth, and the truth of His existence will set you free from the fears

that exist if He didn’t (Jeremiah 29:13).

Each of us must decide for ourselves. What do you believe and why