To the editor:

The headline of Leonard Pitts’ March 3 column summarizes, “God’s presence is felt, not proven.” I’m not here to argue whether the existence of God can or cannot be proven. But is God still God if His presence isn’t felt? I’m thinking about those who experienced “the dark night of the soul.” Sometimes the feelings of joy and intimacy are wonderful; other times God seems a million miles away, maybe even in the same day.

Paul, in II Corinthians 5, is talking about the glory awaiting us in the afterlife and says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” I think that pretty much describes the life God calls us to here and now. When we can’t see or feel His presence, when there’s no “liver quiver,” when we cannot “hear music in the air,” what keeps us pressing on? Sometimes all that is left is faith. Like the man whose son Jesus healed, our response may well be, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).