This question often rises in quiet moments. It may come when we look at the stars, hold a newborn child, stand before beauty that takes our breath away, or walk through a season of sorrow and wonder whether anyone sees our pain. Deep within the human heart, there is a longing for meaning, truth, love, and something that lasts beyond the passing things of this world. That longing itself can become the beginning of a journey toward God.
We do not come to know God in exactly the same way that we know a scientific fact or measure an object with our hands. God is not one thing among many things in the universe. He is the One who gives existence to everything that is. Yet creation can speak quietly to us about Him. The Psalmist says, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). When we see the order of the world, the beauty of nature, and the mystery of life, we may begin to sense that creation is not empty or accidental, but carries the mark of a loving Creator.
We can also recognize God through the deepest movements of our conscience. Most of us know, even when it is difficult to admit, that love is better than hatred, truth is better than deception, and mercy is more beautiful than revenge. We feel that some things are truly right and some things are truly wrong. This inner awareness does not mean that we always make perfect choices, but it reminds us that our hearts are made for goodness. The Church teaches that this desire for truth, goodness, and love points beyond ourselves to the God who created us in His image.
For Christians, the clearest way of knowing God is through Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). When we look at Jesus welcoming sinners, touching the sick, forgiving those who hurt Him, and giving His life on the Cross, we see the heart of God revealed. God is not distant, cold, or indifferent to our struggles. In Jesus, He comes near. He enters our human weakness, carries our sorrow, and shows us that divine love is stronger than sin, fear, and death.
Of course, there are times when God may still feel hidden. Even faithful people can experience moments of doubt, silence, or confusion. This does not mean that God has abandoned them. Faith is not always a strong emotion or a perfect certainty. Sometimes faith is simply the courage to keep seeking, to keep praying, and to keep opening our hearts when answers do not come quickly. Jesus Himself tells us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find” (Matthew 7:7). God is never offended by an honest question.
What this means for us is that knowing God is not only about winning an argument in our minds. It is about allowing our hearts to become open to Him. A simple prayer can be the beginning of something very real: “God, if You are there, help me to know You.” We may begin by noticing the beauty around us, listening to our conscience, reading the Gospel, or speaking honestly in prayer. Little by little, God often makes His presence known—not always through dramatic signs, but through peace, grace, love, and the quiet strength to continue.
May you never be afraid to seek God with both your mind and your heart. The One you are searching for may already be closer to you than you realize, gently inviting you to trust that you are seen, loved, and never alone.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way.