I said at the end of the lengthy first post about this story, that me getting a new job was a miracle from God. That takes me back to a question posed to one of my professors in Seminary. He was teaching a New Testament class and the question of miracles came up. Along with this came up the idea that has been tossed around in many circles that miracles don’t happen today. The people that hold this belief believe that the miraculous was meant for a certain time in history, possibly due to specific reasons, but not for today. My teacher, to his credit, did not hold to this belief. He stated that he honestly believed miracles do happen in modern times. So one of the class members piped up with the question, “have you ever had a miracle happen to you?”
The teacher answered with a definite “yes. I’ve had many miracles happen in my life,” he continued.
When asked to tell about them he gave an interesting answer. He said that they were miracles to him, but they may not seem like miracles to us. When pushed for an explanation, he went on to explain that the miracles that happened to him happened at a specific time in answer to a specific need or situation in his life, therefore, though they may not remotely resemble miracles to an outsider, they were definitely miraculous works of God to him. Obviously I have never forgotten these words, and the concept has helped me to see God’s miraculous work much more than I may have without this insight.
Timing; a vital ingredient in a miracle
I heard something once that said in effect, “the difference between a miracle and an everyday occurrence is a question of timing.” Though I don’t believe that is completely definitive, it does have a lot of merit. To go with that idea, one could bring up that oft-repeated scientific question concerning sound, “if a tree falls in the woods and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?” To combine this concept with a discussion on the miraculous works of God, “if the Red Sea parts and there are no Israelites fleeing from the Egyptians, is there a miracle?” To continue, “if there is a big catch of fish and it is not after a long night of fruitless effort, and it does not come in relation to the direction of a carpenter/teacher, is it a miracle?” And, one more time, “if there is a job offer, and it is not accompanied by a strong seeking of God, obedient action, and great obstacles, is it a miracle?” The answer to each of these questions is a qualified “yes.” All of these situations could, in fact, be the miraculous working of God, but without the timing and a specific met need or question, along with singled out witnesses, they are not identified and accepted as miracles in the lives of those concerned.
As I have mentioned, I went to Seminary in preparation to become a minister. In my seminary studies I was continually made aware of those who would try to explain that which has been accepted as miraculous in the Bible with natural occurring phenomena. Many of these surrounded the escape and wanderings of the Children of Israel. The seeming inability of humans to accept the miraculous work of God in their lives and those of others is astonishing to me in many ways. One of the “explanations” that I remember quite clearly is the feeding of the Israelites with quail. The story goes that they were getting tired of manna. What a bunch of whiners. It’s not like they ate hamburger helper everyday for a month, or lived on ramin noodles for a whole semester. It’s not like they had to force down generic mac and cheese and cheap hot dogs because it was the end of the month. They were living on a wonderful and miraculous food provided daily by God to meet their needs. But they were tired of it, and they began to whine. They wanted meat to eat. So God promised them meat, and in the evening quail came and covered the ground of their camp and they were able to gather them up and eat meat for a whole month. The thing that sticks in my mind about this “miracle” is that there are those who have tried to explain the miraculous away by saying that this coincided with a natural migration of quails which after flying across a great expanse of water collapse exhausted on the shore. Yeah? So, what if this is the case? The Israelites are still there in need and the Word of God had said he would provide in a very specific way for their need. And then the quail arrive. So, isn’t that a miracle?
This has brought up a second very vital ingredient in a miracle. Miracles are generally preceded by an unmistakable Word or instruction from God. There are some few miracles in the Bible that do not record a direct Word or instruction as preceding a miraculous work of God, however it is explained and/or understood that the miracle was brought about by a strong conviction that God would work in that situation of need. The woman who merely touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and received healing is an example. The Centurion who knew that all Jesus had to do was say the word and his servant would be healed (Matthew account) is another. Many times, and I will say more times than not, a miracle is preceded by an unmistakable Word from God. This Word usually contains two aspects. The first is usually recorded as God saying what he is going to do. God is usually pretty clear when He directly intervenes in human life and need, and the first thing that usually comes out of His mouth other than “fear not” or “settle down (paraphrased)” is an explanation of what he is going to do. The second thing that comes out to the waiting human is an instruction or direction
The teacher answered with a definite “yes. I’ve had many miracles happen in my life,” he continued.
When asked to tell about them he gave an interesting answer. He said that they were miracles to him, but they may not seem like miracles to us. When pushed for an explanation, he went on to explain that the miracles that happened to him happened at a specific time in answer to a specific need or situation in his life, therefore, though they may not remotely resemble miracles to an outsider, they were definitely miraculous works of God to him. Obviously I have never forgotten these words, and the concept has helped me to see God’s miraculous work much more than I may have without this insight.
Timing; a vital ingredient in a miracle
I heard something once that said in effect, “the difference between a miracle and an everyday occurrence is a question of timing.” Though I don’t believe that is completely definitive, it does have a lot of merit. To go with that idea, one could bring up that oft-repeated scientific question concerning sound, “if a tree falls in the woods and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?” To combine this concept with a discussion on the miraculous works of God, “if the Red Sea parts and there are no Israelites fleeing from the Egyptians, is there a miracle?” To continue, “if there is a big catch of fish and it is not after a long night of fruitless effort, and it does not come in relation to the direction of a carpenter/teacher, is it a miracle?” And, one more time, “if there is a job offer, and it is not accompanied by a strong seeking of God, obedient action, and great obstacles, is it a miracle?” The answer to each of these questions is a qualified “yes.” All of these situations could, in fact, be the miraculous working of God, but without the timing and a specific met need or question, along with singled out witnesses, they are not identified and accepted as miracles in the lives of those concerned.
As I have mentioned, I went to Seminary in preparation to become a minister. In my seminary studies I was continually made aware of those who would try to explain that which has been accepted as miraculous in the Bible with natural occurring phenomena. Many of these surrounded the escape and wanderings of the Children of Israel. The seeming inability of humans to accept the miraculous work of God in their lives and those of others is astonishing to me in many ways. One of the “explanations” that I remember quite clearly is the feeding of the Israelites with quail. The story goes that they were getting tired of manna. What a bunch of whiners. It’s not like they ate hamburger helper everyday for a month, or lived on ramin noodles for a whole semester. It’s not like they had to force down generic mac and cheese and cheap hot dogs because it was the end of the month. They were living on a wonderful and miraculous food provided daily by God to meet their needs. But they were tired of it, and they began to whine. They wanted meat to eat. So God promised them meat, and in the evening quail came and covered the ground of their camp and they were able to gather them up and eat meat for a whole month. The thing that sticks in my mind about this “miracle” is that there are those who have tried to explain the miraculous away by saying that this coincided with a natural migration of quails which after flying across a great expanse of water collapse exhausted on the shore. Yeah? So, what if this is the case? The Israelites are still there in need and the Word of God had said he would provide in a very specific way for their need. And then the quail arrive. So, isn’t that a miracle?
This has brought up a second very vital ingredient in a miracle. Miracles are generally preceded by an unmistakable Word or instruction from God. There are some few miracles in the Bible that do not record a direct Word or instruction as preceding a miraculous work of God, however it is explained and/or understood that the miracle was brought about by a strong conviction that God would work in that situation of need. The woman who merely touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and received healing is an example. The Centurion who knew that all Jesus had to do was say the word and his servant would be healed (Matthew account) is another. Many times, and I will say more times than not, a miracle is preceded by an unmistakable Word from God. This Word usually contains two aspects. The first is usually recorded as God saying what he is going to do. God is usually pretty clear when He directly intervenes in human life and need, and the first thing that usually comes out of His mouth other than “fear not” or “settle down (paraphrased)” is an explanation of what he is going to do. The second thing that comes out to the waiting human is an instruction or direction
This brings us to the third essential ingredient of a miracle. That ingredient is an “action of faith,” based on the Word and/or instruction from God. The action of faith for the Israelites as they crossed the Red Sea, was first for Moses to stretch out his hands and staff over the sea. That action of faith caused the sea to part. The second action of faith was for the Israelites to cross the sea with water walled up on either side. I honestly believe that, though the Egyptian army was pursuing them, crossing that sea took faith on the part of each individual and on the people as a whole. Another parting of the waters came as they finally approached the Promised Land and stood on the banks of the River Jordan. God called the priests to take a step of faith. They, while carrying the Arc of the Covenant were to step into the rushing waters of the swollen river. This was no easy feat if you have ever tried to set foot into a rushing current. As they did what they were told, the waters parted and they and the people crossed into the Promised Land. Peter followed Jesus’ instructions and received a miraculous catch of fish. I answered the phone.
Another thing that comes to mind is this. While the miraculous works promised tend to exceed the bounds of believability as we humans know it, the actions required to obtain said miracles seldom fit into our realms of reason, either. To put it a different way, we as humans usually respond, “You’re going to do what? And you want me to do what?”
“You’re going to deliver us from the overtaking Egyptian army? And you want me to walk across that sea bed with walls of water on either side?” “You’re going to part the swollen, rushing waters of the Jordan? And you want me to wade on in before you part it?” “You’re going to give us a great victory over Jericho? And you want us to merely march around the city for seven days and play horns and shout?” “You’re going to give me a great catch of fish? And you want me to go out into the deep water, after a fruitless night of fishing, and let down the wrong nets?” “You’re going to heal me of my long lasting illness? And all I have to do is touch the hem of Jesus’ robe?” “You’re going to give me new direction in my life and vocation? And you want me to swallow my pride and answer the call from the company that embarrassed me, and hasn’t ever given me a real opportunity, for a position that I have already tried for many times with no results?” “It just doesn’t make sense!”
Finding Sense in the Senseless
The sense is found in the result. That result, however is never the mind-boggling miraculous action itself. The miraculous action is only a tool used by God. The result is what happens in God’s people when they listen to the instruction, carry out the action required, see the miraculous, and take it to heart. The miraculous is never the end. It is always a means. It is a means with which God teaches His child—His people . . . a means with which he grows His people in faith . . . a means with which he brings His people closer to Him.
Peter’s reaction was not that of a true fisherman. I dare say that my misguided minister friend may not have been able to handle this great catch. He, along with most of the rest of us would find a way to “humbly” make himself look good. A lot of people in Peter’s place would stand up and say, “Wow, I never realized that if you fish during the daylight hours, in deep water, and with nighttime nets, you would catch this many fish.” We all might be inclined to choose to overlook the miraculous and the lesson involved and decide that this is the way we will fish from now on. In fact, I can see some one in Peter’s shoes writing a book about it entitled Deep Water Daytime Fishing With Nighttime Nets. He could develop a web-based business and do speaking engagements to share his new found secret. He may even patent the process and charge for the rights to use it, and if lucky, he would get his own show or at least an Infomercial promoting his newfound fishing method. Another unbelievable reaction may be what my wife just brought up, and that would be deciding that this is how the righteous, true believer fishes. Only the pagans fish the old way. God has shown me the righteous new way to fish, now.
Luckily Peter didn’t respond with a common human response. He didn’t fix his eyes on the physical result of the miraculous; he fixed his eyes on The Lord and his relationship to that Lord. Peter fell on his knees in that wondrous pile of fish and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” It was out of this that Jesus was able to complete a call to a new direction in Peter’s life.
So, yes, my getting this new job was definitely a miracle from God. I am now in the process of seeking out the meaning of this miracle in my life. The first and always the basic teaching is that God does dearly love His children and is intimately involved in their lives. That is a biggy. There is more to this miracle, however, and I am seeking out the meaning to me.
The sense is found in the result. That result, however is never the mind-boggling miraculous action itself. The miraculous action is only a tool used by God. The result is what happens in God’s people when they listen to the instruction, carry out the action required, see the miraculous, and take it to heart. The miraculous is never the end. It is always a means. It is a means with which God teaches His child—His people . . . a means with which he grows His people in faith . . . a means with which he brings His people closer to Him.
Peter’s reaction was not that of a true fisherman. I dare say that my misguided minister friend may not have been able to handle this great catch. He, along with most of the rest of us would find a way to “humbly” make himself look good. A lot of people in Peter’s place would stand up and say, “Wow, I never realized that if you fish during the daylight hours, in deep water, and with nighttime nets, you would catch this many fish.” We all might be inclined to choose to overlook the miraculous and the lesson involved and decide that this is the way we will fish from now on. In fact, I can see some one in Peter’s shoes writing a book about it entitled Deep Water Daytime Fishing With Nighttime Nets. He could develop a web-based business and do speaking engagements to share his new found secret. He may even patent the process and charge for the rights to use it, and if lucky, he would get his own show or at least an Infomercial promoting his newfound fishing method. Another unbelievable reaction may be what my wife just brought up, and that would be deciding that this is how the righteous, true believer fishes. Only the pagans fish the old way. God has shown me the righteous new way to fish, now.
Luckily Peter didn’t respond with a common human response. He didn’t fix his eyes on the physical result of the miraculous; he fixed his eyes on The Lord and his relationship to that Lord. Peter fell on his knees in that wondrous pile of fish and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” It was out of this that Jesus was able to complete a call to a new direction in Peter’s life.
So, yes, my getting this new job was definitely a miracle from God. I am now in the process of seeking out the meaning of this miracle in my life. The first and always the basic teaching is that God does dearly love His children and is intimately involved in their lives. That is a biggy. There is more to this miracle, however, and I am seeking out the meaning to me.
1 comment:
After years of buying fishing licenses and never using them I haven't fished for a while. Your blog got me thinking that I won't have any stories to swap with the Apostles if I don't get out there and catch a few.
You and I are in the same state. I'm down here in the SE corner where there aren't any lakes to speak of, just trout streams.
I found your profile when I did a search for people who liked, and could relate to Tired of Trying to Measure Up by Jeff VanVonderan. I am a proud member of the Official Jeff VanVonderen Fan Club on Facebook.
Happy Blogging!
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