One way to better understand God, is to be a Father, as He is the ultimate, sinless Father. This morning, as I was picking up my baby boy, my 2 year old girl, was crying for me to pick her up, as well. At that point, I began to think how I wasn't going to spoil her and give in. I came to a conclusion about God.
I confess that sometimes I am a bit envious when I hear of miracles that have happened to others.
1 Corinthians 1:22 - "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom." I have prayed all my life for a "miracle" to witness; something spectacular that would just amaze me. You hear of a man who was nearly dead who was miraculously revived. You hear of those who were sick and were suddenly healed. I believe in the power of miracles. When I was in high school, I would lay in bed and wait for an angel to come and visit me, or something.
It's clear to me that God must carry those who simply can't walk. My family and I have been placed in many circumstances where we have needed to live by faith alone. Had we no faith at all, we would have severe troubles. Before marriage, I found my toes dipping into the flood of deception. When you lack faith, you begin to accept worldly things as a "temporary fix". And it doesn't have to be "alcohol" or "cussing". It can be something as simple as TV or food.
Even though, I was becoming more "philosophical" minded than True "Truth-minded", I still had a bit of faith and believed there was way more out there. Those who have even the faith of a "mustard seed" can indeed walk. And, even though, they fall and can be tripped by the many stumbling blocks laid out before them, they have the faith to continue the race. After much practice, and much falling down, eventually the hurdles can easily be jumped over, given the proper conditioning and preparation.
Then, there are those who simply haven't learned how to walk yet. And what do they need sometimes? They need to be carried. They need it more than my family and I who sometimes just need to measure ourselves up to the Word of God; that Word by which we put our faith. To those who lack faith or simply don't know what to believe, miracles give them something to hold on to. The philosopher would tell you that it's "beginner's luck" which was designed to give you a "taste" so that you will strive for more. But, luck, is simply chance without anything greater behind it. Luck and karma are all about what you do to be better off for yourself. Miracles are not luck, they are blessings by the All Powerful One. A blessing prepares you. A blessing gives you hope when you had none. A blessing is something big that you look back upon to remind yourself why you ran the race in the first place.
In the light of this understanding, I have had miracles. When I was a child, I was hit by a car and ended up with mere scratches on my back from the pavement. I remember telling people that, "God caught me." That was my blessing and my reminder that He is there. That's my reminder that He was always there.
We spend our lives playing "hot and cold" trying to find God. Sometimes we get super hot and then walk by and begin to grow colder. And even though we are playing that game, as long as we are still seeking the "True Word" we carry the faith we need to prosper. When we grow stronger in our faith, we don't need signs and wonders. Ironically, the deeper you dive into that faith, the deeper you discover that there are miracles all around. There are signs of God's presence, everywhere. Romans 1:20 - "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
So, sometimes you have to carry the child that can't walk yet. And even though it feels unfair to make the other child walk, it is not because there is no love; it is because they need to walk on their own. And sometimes, that child will fall and scrape her knee. So, then will I pick her up and carry her. If I only pick her up every time she cries, she doesn't mature. Raising up a child starts at the moment they are born. Now sometimes, I confess I can be too harsh. If I strive to be like our Father in Heaven, I can obtain the mindset necessary to train up my children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). I pray that I can rise against my flesh and whenever I lead, whenever I father, I do it not in the order of man but, instead, in the order of the Lord.
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