Thursday, August 23, 2007

Miracles

How often do we give thanks for all the "little little miracles" that He allowed to happen?

An exam passed, prolly with good results?
A project done, despite really bad circumstances?
A really good journey out, or just hanging out with friends?

We seem to be under the impression that we deserve good things, that if bad things happen to us, we whine and sulk. And we blame God, asking Him why, why, why.

Sometimes, we are passionate for miracles, that if something extravagant does not happen, we feel down.

"That's so plain. Where's the miracle?"
Heck, it's right in front of you.

We seem to be under the impression that everything goes well because they ought to, because that's how things are, and when things are not well, it's an abnormal occurence.
Are we so pampered that we're taking things for granted???

I am a great lover of miracles, be it small or big, be it plain or extravagant, because it reminds me that my God is good, because it strengthens my faith in Him, because it gives joy to my heart.

It can be in the form of a lift that opens the moment I'm in front of it;
It can be in the form of a surprisingly good exam result;
It can be in the form of a day well spent.

And often, these are so common in our lives, that we see it as normal. We see it as something that should happen.

If so, let me tell you this, that in this imperfect world, the most normal thing that should happen is people dying everywhere, even right in front of your eyes, almost every moment.
If so, let me tell you this, that in this imperfect world, natural disaster should happen every now and then, with high probability of occurence.
If so, let me tell you this, that in this imperfect world, you should not have any reason to be happy, nor can you be happy.

Things are well because God is good. He spread His arms in love to shelter us from things that we so deserve: bad lucks.
And He protects us, believer and non-believer alike, because we're all His creations, and He loves each one of us, and do not wish us doom.

Often, when things are unwell, I would be extra reverent to God, praying earnestly, but when the thing passed, I act as if I deserve it, as if it should happen.
I often forget to be thankful.

Guard yourself against unthankfulness. Don't delight yourself in God's gift, delight yourself in Him.
If God bless you everyday with miracles, even with the extravagant ones, since you're human, there are high chance that you'll treat it as normal, having seen it too much.

Remember that the natural is just supernatural with high frequency of occurence.

Whatever Jesus meant when He said this, let us not be an evil and adulterous generation that seeks after a sign, and that no sign will be given to us except the sign of the prophet Jonah. (Matthew 12:39, rephrased)

If even the Hebrews would turn away from God just after the wonders they witness in Egypt, what guarantees that our faith is sealed if miracles are often poured on us?

As often as you can remember, and as often as you can remind yourself, delight yourself with the Giver, rather than the gifts.

"Be not deceived, Wormwood, our cause is never more in jeopardy than when a human, no longer desiring but still intending to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe in which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys." - A letter from a devil to another devil. The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis.

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