Whiz! Boom! Bang!

Today's readings: Ps 121, 122, 123; Jud 18:1-15; Acts 8:1-13; John 5:30-47

Not surprisingly, the Book of Acts is full of action. The apostles add “great numbers of believers” day after day. No time at all seems to pass between Stephen’s appointment to deacon and his subsequent arrest. So far conversations (with the exception of Stephen’s speech to the council) have been short, to the point, and effective. In today’s reading, Philip converts Simon the magician with one unbelievably believable speech. In John, Jesus performs another sign and gathers new disciples every time he turns a corner. Christianity is a never-ending parade of wonders!

Except when it isn’t. The gospels and Acts are testimonies. Almost by definition, they are favorably biased toward their subject matter. The authors compressed time to keep the stories moving. While they aren’t some sales pitch representing Christianity as painless or without risk, they were written for the purpose of attracting converts. The reality of day-to-day Christianity can suffer by comparison.

Without delving into the theology of miracles, it is safe to say most of us don’t experience them with the same frequency portrayed in the gospels and Acts. If our expectations are not tempered with realism, our own faith experience can be disappointing. We must learn to balance our conviction that God can do anything, with the truth that he doesn’t do everything. Must we resign ourselves to a lackluster faith?

Of course not. We don’t have to host regular healing revivals to be part of a Spirit-filled community. Miracles are nice, but the stories in Judges tell us their effects are not long lasting. We need to learn to recognize the many ways God works through us in the world. A church food pantry that’s taken years to get off the ground, and a village well dug through hard work and mission donations, also point to God’s continued presence in the world. Could it be actually more exciting to see God everywhere, than in discrete miraculous moments?

If we spend our time looking for miracles, we may just be missing them.

Comfort: God can work through us in our daily lives.

Challenge: Each evening ask yourself: “Where did I see God today?”

Prayer: God of renewal, open my eyes to your daily presence.

Evening readings: Ps 124, 125, 126

Tomorrow's readings: Ps 119:145-176; Jud 18:16-31; Acts 8:14-25; John 6:1-15