A Miracle

"One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." -Acts 3:1-10

Can you expect a miracle if you don't expect that it will truly be miraculous?

It seems like every time I pray for a miracle I forget that God is in complete control. Healing, finding a job, or even passing a test. I've prayed for all of these at some time for myself or someone else. I know that God is above all else(sickness, pain, unemployment, grades, etc.). He is indeed healer, awesome in power. I lose faith though.

I think this a lot like what my heart sounds like after praying that prayer:
Me: "...Amen. Yay God! You can do it. Heal that cancer!"
God: *silence*
Me: "What if it really happens?"
God: . . .
Me: "I mean, ya sure I'll believe it's a miracle but what about everyone else?"
God: . . .
Me: "What about the atheists? What about those who don't believe in You? I think there's some really good doctors and some great drugs out there that could have easily helped out too. Couldn't they just as easily get all the glory?"

At this point I'm done. I've removed God from this problem.

God: "I'll take care of the unbelievers. If their hearts are ready for it they will believe."

No answer.

I believe God is mighty enough to conquer cancer. He conquered death, sin and Satan! There is nothing greater than him! I care too much about the thoughts and feelings of others though. What will they think?

Who cares?

God.

You see, I've put my concern for "social norms" over my belief in the healer God.

There's probably some theologian out there who disagrees with me and there is no such thing as "6 Easy Steps to Believing in God" but I do believe in this: God is bigger than sickness and the human heart.

"While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." -Acts 3:11-16

-I'd like to thank Eric Krueger for getting me to read Acts again.-