I overheard someone’s conversation the other day. [Side note: I wasn’t eavesdropping.] It was one of those times when several conversations were going on at one time…and you are in one conversation but your ears perk up to another conversation when you hear something that interests you.
In this other conversation the question was asked, “Why don’t we see the miracles today that we read about in the Bible?” I wanted to jump in and really regret that I didn’t….so now I have decided to write about it.
I think that miracles happen every day. The difference, I believe, is our vision…and what we believe about God. Two years ago I read Mark Batterson’s book “The Grave Robber”. I recently finished Nik Ripken’s book “The Insanity of Obedience”. Both books have encouraged me and strengthened my walk and my conviction of the truth of scripture found in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!”
As Nik and his wife, Ruth, traveled to countries where there was extreme persecution, meaning people were being murdered for their faith in Jesus, they were told many stories of the miraculous. From protection to God’s provision for food and shelter. You will have to read the book to be encouraged by the “awesomeness of God” and His hand. All the stories are better than any blockbuster movie. You know why? They are TRUE…they REALLY happened…it is NON-Fiction.
But the point that was made in the book that so got my full attention was that Nik asked the people who experienced the miracles why they didn’t write about them. They were puzzled. You see, as they explained it, the miraculous happened every day in their lives. They were so out of their comfort zone….so utterly dependent on God for everything….that EVERY SINGLE DAY they saw the miraculous taking place.
They also pointed out that westerners, which would be you and me, experience way more miracles but because of the “comfort” we live in ….we discount them….like clean, running water–hot and cold, heated and cooled homes, communication–internet/cell/email, etc.
Medicine was a big one. As I was reading “The Insanity of Obedience,” I realized once again the miracle it is that our son Thomas is alive. There are over 80 countries in the world that do not have the same medical treatments available that we do. If our son Thomas had been born with Type 1 diabetes in any one of them…he would have never lived. God has been performing a daily miracle in our lives since Thomas was 5 and he is now just turning 24.
The Bradshaws have been experiencing the “miracle of healing” now for 19 years. Some may choose to think, “Well, Thomas still has diabetes and he still takes insulin.” That is true. But God has provided a way for Thomas to lead a healthy life. That, my friends, is a miracle. That is having the EYES to see God’s hand and God’s provision.
As God would have it, when I stepped in the shower just two days ago, the water never got hot. No coincidence that I had just finished the book. God prompted my heart to realize, Wow! hot, running water is something I take for granted. I can’t tell you the last time I went to take a shower and didn’t get hot water.
Thankfully for us, because of construction in our basement, our hot water heater had been unplugged. As we searched for the problem, I silently prayed it would be a simple, quick solution. It was a matter of reaching and plugging the cord into the wall. God did two things. He granted me the request for a simple solution. More importantly, HE accentuated what I had just read for the last two hours in my quiet time.
I experience miracles by God’s hand every single day.
Another one of my favorite authors is Jon Gordon. He writes and encourages people to pick one word to focus their life on for a year. My word this coming year is “Praise”. Yes, as I experience the miraculous every day, I do not want to be the westerner who does not see God’s miraculous hand daily in my life.
I encourage you today…Look for the miraculous. It is happening. It is totally dependent on my/your/our vision!
I want to leave you with two more things to ponder–scripture and a video.
“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples” (Psalm 77:14).
“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 5:9).
Jon Gordon – One Word that will Change Your Life – YouTube
▶ 4:11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CShvhZ7D0fg
