Realiness of Reality

Yes, Reality is real. Our own perspectives and perceptions impacts reality for us. The definition of this word is tough to grasp sometimes, but Wikipedia explains it as; "the sum or aggregate of all that is real or existent within the universe, as opposed to that which is only imaginary, nonexistent or nonactual. " These are questions about existence.

As to why reality exists and the purpose of 'all this', that is even tougher. But the simple answer is, 'Because God said so' (roll your eyes, I know!). As the image depicts, there are two walls there. The lower one (light green) is perpendicular to the background one (dark green), which is a perception problem.

The core purpose however is for us to have fellowship with God... a time and place where we can experience His 'wonder', but also to turn back to Him with appreciation, gratitude and especially recognition of the vastness of this wonder of His. From the depths (and mysteries) of the universe to the minuteness of life at the molecular level, His wonder is beyond explaining. We simply 'stand in awe' of this wonder. Trying to explain it leads to babble, cyclical reasoning and worse, the most profound gibberish known to man.

Sure, we still grapple to understand, to get it all documented, to make an outline and even establish a formula. But, at its very core, there is 'trust' that God holds the why, He holds the what, and certainly He holds the how, when, and where. Trust is faith, and the bible reads in Hebrews 11:1 that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." One of the translations of that verse (the Message version) reads as; "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd."

Lost or Saved

• Why am I feelings and hearing these things?

• Why am I even here right now at this exact moment in time?

• Why does this Earth exist?

• Why does anything exist when it could just be silence or something?

• What's happening right now in my mind?

• I feel frickin detached from reality right now. What is happening?

The questions you are asking are good, although you are feeling bad, possibly 'lost' about all of this (the universe, the earth, even yourself). While we do live among others and discuss things with each other (reasoning) and even follow others' examples (herd mentality), we still have a feeling of "Where are we going, and why?". This lost feeling exposes something of a hopelessness in our lives. We are reaching out (grasping) for guidance, for direction, and certainly answers.

Jesus provides the answer(s) for our grappling. John 14:6 tells us, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." God made this place (the universe, the planet, then us) and is ready to fellowship with us, but we have to 'meet Him halfway', as it were. In part, James 4:8 reads, "Draw near to God, and he will draw nigh to you...".

As you have done with these questions, reaching out and searching for God means you are facing toward Him and seeking His guidance. Only He can actually answer the questions in your soul. Sure, all of us have similar or identical questions, but there 'are' many who do not even seem to care or give any attention to His leading. God cries out to the world "I made all this so that we could have fellowship. Please come", but not many take heed. Matthew 22:14 actually tells us, "For many are called, but few are chosen". Then, when we do call on God and watch for Him in our lives, He tells us (John 14:18), "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." How? He provides the Holy Spirit to reside inside our hearts, but He does not stuff the Holy Spirit into us whether we asked for Him or not!

Questions and Trust

Many would say, "If God would answer my questions, I would trust Him". Remember, when you trust God, He will answer your questions! This is a 'you first' proposition God has made with mankind. He made the universe, He made the planets, He even made you. But He cannot make you trust Him. That is something you have to do first. This is the "draw closer" meaning of James 4:8 we mentioned earlier. But do not get too carried away with the "He will answer your questions" part. "All in His time" is the way to approach what He answers you and when. Think along the lines of telling a 4-year-old child about driving a car. They are a bit too young (immature?) to grasp the details and responsibilities that go with certain knowledge. In many ways, God moves in our lives in stages and sequences. 1 Corinthians 13:11 reminds us, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.". As John 14:26 reminds us, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

God-Shaped Hole

In simple terms, there is a God-Shaped Hole in each of us. Some time ago, this concept was discussed here on the Got Questions system (God-Shaped Hole), and the music band named Plumb produced a song about it back in the early 90s (God-Shaped Hole, by Plumb). Even over in Luke 11:9, Jesus told the people, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."