Why can't we figure out what is real? Why does the true nature of reality elude us? Are we overlooking something that's right there in front of us?
Yes, we're overlooking something. We have a blind spot. The blind spot is caused by a sin-stained brain. We can't make out what's right there in front of us because our view of much of reality is obscured by our sin.
The sin stain doesn't just obscure our view, it also acts like hallucination-inducing poison. Everything in reality becomes weirdly skewed because of our sin's delusional effects. We think we know things. We think we're wise. But our thinking and our wisdom gets all turned around by the sin poisoning our systems.
God is right here with us, but we can't sense Him clearly—or perhaps not at all. He wants us to understand, to perceive the truth, but our sin condition blocks our access. It's a bleak situation for us. It's possible we've reached the point where we don't even believe in God. Maybe we are lost, without hope.
No, not without hope. God loves us and has given us everything we need to overcome the sin condition. He's given us:
His creation, which is chock-full of hints and clues about the true nature of reality. That's why we gaze up at the stars and look out over the ocean with a sense of awe.
His Word, the Bible, which describes the course of treatment we need to overcome the sin condition. The Bible is written in heavenly language, though, so we need help understanding what it says. So God gave us:
His Spirit, Who can speak the truth directly to our spirit. But our sin condition has destroyed our spirit, so much so we wouldn't be able to even sense His Spirit. Except God gave us a Rescuer,
His Son, the Antidote to the sin-poison, Who overcomes our sin, Who heals us, Who restores us.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.