I’ve never been to a country outside of America, yet I continue to believe other countries exist.

Why? Because people who have experiences in those countries have come back and told the detailed stories of their experiences. They tell what they’ve seen and heard, how the people behave, etc. They bring back souvenirs, pictures, etc. (otherwise known as evidence.)

But if I, having no experience in another country, were to tell those people, “No other countries besides America exist!” what do you think they would say?

“You’re crazy! We’ve been there. We’ve seen the evidence!”

If I say, again, from my lack of experience in those countries, “there’s no evidence! It’s all a fairy tale myth!” I might be able to say it in a way that sounds intellectual, but I’m still trying to convince people with an experience that my lack of experience is a more reliable piece of evidence.

It’s silly.

So what is the only way I’ll believe if I don’t accept the stories and souvenirs people bring back as good enough evidence?

I’ll have to go to one of those other countries and see for myself.

When it comes down to it, regarding why I believe, no argument, no matter how convincing, will satisfy the need some people have to see for themselves. Even if I bring back tangible evidence, people will yell “Trickery! You made that in your basement!”

My friends and I used to travel towns and pray for the sick. We would see a lot of miracles happen: Broken bones being instantly put back together, people getting out of wheelchairs, deaf ears opening, migraines disappearing, etc. All the same evidence Jesus brought from his country.

Still, no matter how much the evidence, no matter how many verified doctor reports there were, no matter how many videos we published, there were a ton of people (including Christians) screaming, “Trickery! You’ve falsified those claims!”

Why? Because they lack the experience.

I believe because I’ve seen the other country. I’ve tasted the food. I’ve participated in the recreational activities.

I’ve seen so much evidence that even when I don’t want to believe that other country exists, I can’t stop because my life has been full of the evidence.

I believe because I’ve seen plenty of evidence (too much, if you consider my previous statement). If it’s not good enough evidence for others, that’s their deal. It doesn’t cancel what I’ve seen, heard, tasted and touched.