Traces of God

Physicists wanted answers to a big question, so they constructed the largest machine in the world to get them. The Large Hadron Collider cost about $10 billion to build, consists of a 17-mile long underground tunnel, and shoots 40 million protons per second toward each other through the tunnel at 99.9999991% of the speed of light. The hope is to finally detect the Higgs boson particle, nicknamed the “God particle” because it is predicted to be the fundamental building block of everything in the universe.

However, the particle cannot be seen directly because it only exists for a yoctosecond, or 0.000000000000000000000001 of a second. Therefore, scientists observe “tracks” after the protons collide and break into smaller pieces. Like contrails from a high-altitude jet, the traces indicate the particles have been there.

Although physicists dislike the “God particle” nickname, it seems appropriate considering how He reveals Himself. Smack in the middle of pain, grief, suffering and doubt crashing through our lives, we cry out “God, where are you?” but we don’t get a clear answer.

We want answers and relief in a yoctosecond, but evidence of God’s presence can take years to see. For example, it took me over 20 years to finally understand my parents’ divorce was probably the best thing to happen to my spiritual growth, despite the confusion and sadness I experienced when I was a boy. I wanted answers, but got none at the time.

Similarly, despite direct involvement in some of God’s mightiest miracles, Moses still needed reassurance that God would continue to lead the Israelites through the desert after leaving Egypt. Even after holding his hands up to part the Red Sea, Moses still had doubts about God. He pleaded for answers from God, and wanted to see Him directly face to face.

“Then the Lord said, ‘There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.’”(Exodus 33:21-23).

God may not be apparent when we want Him to be or expect Him to be, but with faith and perseverance, the traces of His presence become evident later.

When have you seen the traces of God in your life?