It also speaks about this in Ephesians 2: 10, and is very nicely put in the New Living Translation: "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Now that Scripture is awesome on at least two counts. First of all the good things He's planned for us to do, He planned 'long ago'. So God really does know what He's doing as he knows the future of us all. But also, this Scripture says we are 'God's masterpiece'! Have you ever seen the view from a mountain? Have you ever witnessed a glorious sunset, or a new born baby in the arms of it's mother? And yet the Bible calls us His masterpiece. Boggling, absolutely boggling....
But the point I'm trying to make is that God has uniquely designed each of us, knows us intimately and has designed things for us to do, specifically with us individually in mind.
One of the things He's spoken to me about is preaching. However I've never felt the release to step out in this as life has been too full of other things and the timing's not been right ... until now. The church I belong to is quite unique in that anyone who feels the call can train to preach, and then preach from time to time. So in faith, believing this is God's leading, I've contacted my Pastor to speak to him about it. He's away on holiday at the moment, but when he gets back we'll meet up and talk it through.
This is not to say that I feel confident in my abilities to do this. Speaking in front of people scares me. And I know there will be training and learning involved, which takes time. I have four children, a husband and a dog which need looking after. I run two businesses. I write, I try to find time to spend with God and I have a house to run, as well as doing my house up and a myriad of other things. Even I have no clue how I will find the time. God will have to make a way, but impossibilities seem to be a specific speciality of his : )
But one thing I have been speaking to God about is that I don't want to be yet another preacher who gets up the front, speaks a few niceties, then everyone goes home and forgets about it. That will be a waste of all of our time. No, the Bible speaks about man's words being backed up with God's power and I have asked for just this to happen. I want signs and wonders to follow my ministry. In part, I guess, because I want people to know that God's hand is one me. But that is a wrong motivation - it must be because I have a heart for the people I speak to and I want God to move in their lives for them, not for my own self-satisfaction. But I do feel it is important that God moves and changes lives.
Then I felt God challenge me on what exactly do I think God moving looks like. What do I think constitutes a miracle?
I guess my reply was that when something happens in front of my eyes, instantaneously, like fixing a broken leg.
Then I felt God challenge me again. 'Which do you think is easier for me to do: heal a broken leg when the person is in pain and both they and I want the same thing, or fix a broken, bitter, abused, angry heart, when the person flinches and recoils every time their heart is touched, and our wills do not always coincide because they are afraid?'
Well, I guess the obvious answer is that neither is more difficult for God, as He is God, all powerful and mighty (and loving). But the real answer is given in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus, when healing a person or performing a miracle, so often says 'Your faith has made you well/ whole'. It's not His faith, but our trust and faith in Him that makes room for the miracle.
So when a leg is broken and both us and God want the same thing and we invite Him to move, we make room for the miracle. But when it's the human heart, it often takes much longer because we find it so much harder to trust Him, especially when our trust has so often been abused. In that situation it is hard to extend Him an invitation and give Him room to move. And what is the greater miracle - fixing a body, or restoring a broken human soul to the place of constant divine fellowship, where joy, love and peace thrive? I firmly believe the latter. I believe so much more fruit can come from a restored soul that a restored body (although I know from much illness myself, it is very hard for a soul to thrive with a constantly broken body).
So, my view of what makes a miracle has changed. Is it less of a miracle because it has occurred over a passage of time? No. (After all, God lives outside of time, so I feel when it takes time it's often more for our benefit than His.) I realise now that I may not always know from my words, both written and spoken, the thrill of instantaneous miracles, but I feel His assurance that if I follow His leading there will be the miracle of restored human hearts as they are pointed back to the One who created and formed them in love (I believe something amazing happens when we submit our will to do His - it opens the door for His miraculous power to move). His love will make them whole again.
Indeed with that type of miracle I may never even know that it has occurred. I guess, as with everything else, I will just have to trust Him that as I step out in faith, leaning on Him, there will be fruit whether I know it or not. For we work as if for Him, with all of our hearts (Colossians 3: 23) not for the human glory that can corrupt our souls once more.
And on my reviewed basis of what constitutes a miracle, I realise I've seen more than I thought already.
Be blessed : )