Supernatural Phenomenon

Do you believe in miracles? Are we not surrounded by them every day, or have we forgotten to appreciate—or perhaps taken for granted—the wonderful world in which we live? The abundance of food when so many are without; the morning beverage we desperately need to start our day; the unlimited supply of clothes to wear; the cars we drive, the medical aid available, and the water we drink…do we look at all these, and more, as miracles or have we become so complacent that little thought is given to those things that make up our daily day? Perhaps we need to look closer at the world in which we live and renew our appreciation for all that we have been blessed with.

From the coffee bean to the miracle drug, from the near missed accident to the doctor’s good report, from the gifted hands that keep our bodies healthy to the ones who provide wise counsel, from the availability of grocery stores (despite the rising prices!) to fresh air and unlimited freedoms. Would we classify these as miracles? Some may consider such things as being fortunate or lucky, so much so that little thought is given to the possibility of it/they being a miracle. With such a mindset, have we become creatures of assumption, that our world is self-propelled, that we are the ones in control, that it was just by chance that this or that happened?

Allow me to take us beyond our world of self to something that would be defined as a supernatural phenomenon. A glorious sunrise or a breathless sunset; summer’s flamboyant greens and autumn’s burst of reds, yellows and golds; the starry host in a clear summer or cold winter’s night’s sky; the flash of a red cardinal searching for a mate; the defiant scream of a boisterous blue jay, or the mournful cooing of a mourning dove…all representing an endless source of miracles to marvel at every day we step outside. And of course, there’s the tiny cell that grows into a human being so that we can experience the inexplicable birth of a new life, a baby whose very existence defines the word miracle. Would these not all be considered a supernatural phenomenon? Dare I say all from the hand of the Almighty?

I read recently that the word miracle can be defined as “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.” If I had my way, I’d make a simple change to that definition to read, “to be the work of God.” But there’s a catch to that small adjustment. In order to credit such an event as a miracle at the hand of God, or the work of God, one must believe in God. I acknowledge that there are millions who claim belief in God and call out to Him in desperation when faced with a crisis, seeking a miracle. The tragedies around the world are proof of such sudden belief. But is such a belief lasting? Believing in God must go much deeper. It requires faith. And not just the kind of faith one has as one sits on a chair, believing it will succeed in doing what it was designed to do. I’m talking about a faith that goes much deeper. It is surrounded by trust and ends in the miracle of new life in Christ.

At the outset, I asked a simple question: Do you believe in miracles? Well, I do! Since being old enough to understand, my mother assured me that I was one! I have a significant birthday coming soon—not that ALL birthdays aren’t significant!— it’s just that I wasn’t to have the first one! An unknown, supposedly incurable (humanly speaking!) blood disease gave my mother a grave prognosis concerning my future. My father last saw me when I was six months old, but with the grievous medical report, my mother was encouraged to take my picture and send it to him since I’d be gone before he returned home from overseas. But I survived! Then after spending months in the hospital as a preschooler, I was sent home with little hope of surviving childhood, and if I did, puberty would be my undoing. But I survived again! I’m told I’m on some miracle list at SickKids hospital in Toronto. I’ve never seen it and I don’t even know if it exists. But I do know that for reasons known only to Him, I am able to write this today and acknowledge God for the miracle of my life.

If we look at the small things…and the big things!…in life, we will begin to understand God’s constant love and care for us. And maybe, just maybe, the next time we look in the mirror, we’ll realize that each one of us is one of God’s miracles.

“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
Psalm 9:1