Why in the world (literally) does God do miracles?
I’m talking about axe-heads floating, dead people waking up, blind people seeing, ears opening, cancers disappearing, and, and, and…
Do you believe this “stuff” still happens? Are you leary, thinking all who experience these things are only one puff away from combustion? Do you have any reliable sources for news of miracles happening in foreign countries? Do you think the apostles were like shooting stars, and we’re done with meteor showers?
Or here’s my question – WHY? Why such drama… and all the drama that follows? Those people back in Jesus’ day – it seems getting healed didn’t help many of them truly believe. Alot of them just came back like sensation maniacs looking for the next show. Is God like the TV evangelists – His gold, diamond-studded watch catching the strobe light, inspiring some kind of awe that feeds His ego and makes Him feel worthy and worshipped? (He must also have big hair.)
I’ve had my own experience with miracles. I prayed for my grandmother, and God completely healed her of cancer. I heard my dad’s story of God telling him he was healed of a serious back disease that stopped his draft to Vietnam. Soon after, he had to have a physical before working at a hospital. The doctors asked him if he knew he had spondylosis. He said he didn’t have it. They retook the x-ray, and it was clear. Recently, God has healed me of some physical ailments that were debilitating and just plain irritating.
But I guess I still wonder why. Honestly, just the wondering makes me question my awareness of God’s ability and willingness. I’ve been listening to the book of John and am really surprised by the simplicity of Jesus’ message and actions. His way is so not like what we do on Sundays. He brings the living Kingdom into wrecked situations constantly. It heals some. It offends others.
Why did Jesus do visible, physical miracles? John 2:11 comes to mind: “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (NIV) Glory revealed. Hm.
This past year has been one of inner healing for me. Big stuff, really. I think perhaps it’s easier to get along with a broken body than to keep going with a broken spirit. “The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear? (Proverbs 18:14 NAS).” So true. God’s been healing things in my spirit. Resetting breaks. Getting blood flow back in. Feels on the inside just as miraculous or more than shrivelled hands extended or lame legs walking.
But, even with this, what is the POINT? Is my own healing just for the sake of a happy life? NO! What is being conceived in me is activated trust in the actual goodness of a personal God who can be trusted with EVERYTHING else. I’m getting to see up close a bit more of what He’s really like. He’s restoring our togetherness. When I was little, I loved sitting on my dad’s lap. I felt I was getting to know him by osmosis. That’s what I sense with God when He comes directly into my world and reveals Himself to me personally. It’s like I actually know I’m his daughter. I actually know He sees into all the confused mess inside of me and isn’t daunted by what I can’t untangle. His personal goodness makes trust natural. Then trust begets trust begets trust… It grows. And it’s starting to make me hopeful for the invasion of Love in people around me – healing Love that fills up all our unlovedness.
Am I just way behind in my relationship with Jesus in that I’m just now starting to have living hope for people I’ve thought were too far gone – like me? I mean REAL hope. Like the kind that actually makes you daydream love over people and want to pull a chocolate-chuck of heaven down to let them taste. I know evangelist-types naturally have tons of passion and extrovert enthusiasm. That’s not me. But Love, powerful limitless Love. Now, there’s something Alive that gets into your bones, screams Glory, and is contagious!
So miracles. Real ones. I think they’re like sparks shooting out from the pulsating Fiery Heart of Love. Glittery. A little show of their own. Great for parties. But if you really wanna see the Source, get ready to be consumed. By Love. Love that will burn away divisions. Love that will sizzle pride. Love eternal – full of color, healing with clear illumination, blazing Living-Light. I think miracle sparks are just little invitations…