Sunday, July 26, 2009

On Miracles


Jesus quieted a storm, restored a dead girl to life, healed the mentally and physically handicapped and fed thousands of people from an almost bare picnic basket. Yet his closest associates, his disciples, didn’t quite get it. Are we any different? Do we have hardened hearts? Why is it that we resist his presence despite so much supporting evidence?


Lord Christ,
The headline in my Bible reads:
Jesus Walks on the Water
But the back-story is equally important.

Mark reports that the disciples didn’t recognize you,
That their hearts were hardened.
Is this story about miracles or our failure to notice them?

The Bible says
You went out to them,
Joined them,
And the wind died down.


The next time a squall forms over my life,
I pray for that dialog from the Gospel
Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.

Let us claim that promise
in the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

From Mark 6:45-56
Scripture Union USA,
Encounter with God, 7/24/09
Sylvia Collinson, Morling College, Sydney Australia



This is a storm that formed on the Rockies at sunset in the vicinity of Gunnison CO. Perspective means a lot here. If you were under those clouds, there was a pelting rain, thunder and lightening. From a wider view there’s rich color and strong light. When you’re in a storm can you see beyond the thunderhead?