A God of Miracles

I have asked myself if I believe this quote by Albert Einstein many times. Could it really be possible that everything is a miracle? The guide to the scriptures define a miracle as "An extraordinary event caused by the power of God", so wouldn't it stand to reason they should be rare? Something extraordinary can't be commonplace, can it? Perhaps our perception of what is ordinary or extraordinary needs to be adjusted. 

Take a sunset for example, every single day, the earth's rotation causes the sun to disappear below our half of the horizon. This position of the earth in relation to the sun's position causes the light from the sun to be highly distorted and refracted in our atmosphere, thus producing the incredible displays we see every night. 

Sounds a little scientific doesn't it? But the laws of science in and of themselves are miracles. Consider the creation of this earth, I believe the sunrises and sunsets were part of the plan. Think of the varieties of plants, animals, rocks, mountains, valleys, rivers, oceans, lakes, etc. All of these things were created and placed here for us to live and learn in. You can broaden your view to consider the vastness of our galaxy or focus your view down to the tiny cell that will multiply and divide to create a baby. 

The bible dictionary states, "Miracles should not be regarded as deviations from the ordinary course of nature so much as manifestations of divine or spiritual power. Some lower law was in each case superseded by the action of a higher law." When you think about the advances which have been made in technology, medicine, education and so forth, from the time this earth was created it really is miraculous. To Noah, boarding an airplane and avoiding the flood from the air would have seemed impossible and miraculous. To us, boarding an airplane and flying around the world seems commonplace. It's all about perspective.

With all of that in mind. I'd like to talk about our perception of miracles themselves. As I was studying the scriptures a thought was impressed upon my mind from the Holy Ghost. I had been thinking about several different miracles, but at the time I was reading about the Red Sea parting. I felt the Spirit ask me, "which part of that was the miracle?" I had to really stop and think. Was it when the sea actually parted? Was it the strong wind that blew the water back the whole night before? Was it the pillar of clouds and fire that protected them from the Egyptians that night? How about walking through the midst of the sea on dry ground? Or was it when the sea closed back up and drowned the pursuing Egyptians, thus ensuring they would never harm the Children of Israel again? All these elements of this event went through my mind and I felt impressed that the whole journey was the miracle. Moses' mother placing him in a basket. Him subsequently being found and raised by the daughter of Pharaoh. Being taught and raised with Egyptian education, enabling him to communicate with Pharaoh when it came time to free his people. Him fleeing Egypt and marrying his wife in the wilderness. The plagues, the burning bush, and on and on and on we could go. The Red Sea closing was not the end either. There was Mount Sinai, the 10 commandments, the manna, the quail, the protection and food while they wandered in the wilderness. Being guided through the wilderness in such a way that they would be prepared to reach the promised land. It's all about perspective.

The bible dictionary goes on to explain that miracles are "powers or mighty works, because they are the acts of One who is almighty; they are simply works, or the natural results of the Messiah’s presence among men; they are wonders, marvels, because of the effect produced on those who saw them." Notice the last part, because of the effect produced on those who saw them. It is up to you what is or is not miraculous in your life. As you live worthily to have the Holy Ghost as your constant companion, your life will be full of miracles because, as stated above, they are the natural result of the Messiah's presence among men. 

 It is not always easy to see our miracles in day to day life. It's much easier to look at an account like this and pick out the guidance, direction and miracles as we see the story unfold. We know the end from the beginning. We know they reach the promised land. Just like Lehi and his family or the brother of Jared and their people. We know they made it. But they didn't know that, they had to walk by faith. Every single one of their journeys was filled with opposition, danger and severe circumstances. All of them came to what seemed like an insurmountable obstacle. We too, in our lives will come to our own Red Sea or body of water. Remember these stories and what the Lord did for them. It was right at the moment when all seemed lost, that their journeys had been in vain. But I promise, He will part the Red Sea, or teach you how to build a ship or a barge. He will light the stones needed to cross your opposition. He will provide your life with miracles.

Please remember that our ways are not the Lord's ways. In the story of the Red Sea parting we read " And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided." Can you imagine the strength of wind that would be required to push the waters up into a wall? The children of Israel were already scared, they had already seen the Egyptians surrounding them and closing in on them. I'm sure that night seemed very dark and frightening. Then Moses stretches forth his hand and an incredible wind comes. It is not always easy to recognize a miracle for what it is. But with the power of the Holy Ghost and the right perspective, we will be blessed with eyes to see miracles unfolding.

"And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles."

Miracles are all around us, they are in the sunrise and sunset. They are in a baby learning to walk. They are in the earth waking up in spring or going to sleep in the fall. They are in the stars in the sky and the rotation of our earth. They are in a friend calling right when you need them most. They are in the quiet whisperings of the Spirit, speaking truth to your heart. Where faith and hope grow, miracles blossom. Each of us has a journey to undertake, and as we choose the Holy Ghost as our guide our path will be filled with miracles. I testify that our Father in Heaven has prepared a promised land for each of us and it will be miracles that get us there. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

All my love,
~Taryn