- Jul 17, 2009
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The daily devotion from the UCC:
What a Miracle Feels Like
What a Miracle Feels Like
Excerpt from Mark 6:45-56
When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea.
Reflection by Christina Villa
This sentence from Mark is just one example of the peculiar way the Bible often has of describing extraordinary events. Jesus walking on water is surely one of the major astounding things in the entire New Testament. And yet here its related almost as an afterthought, a minor detail, as in she stepped off the curb, into a puddle.
Youd think there might be a little more build-up to a spectacle like this, some mention of the urgency Jesus felt to get out to the boat full of disciples by the most direct route. But no, he sees them in trouble and goes over to help, walking on the sea. No drama at all, just a flat statement.
This does often seem to be the way longed-for good news or desperately-needed help arrives in our lives. Without fanfare or advance notice, often after youve stopped waiting and wishing for itthere it simply is, like your lost dog sitting on the back steps. The job offer from an interview last year. The college acceptance letter amid a pile of rejections. The positive pregnancy test after years of infertility. You cant believe it, you thank God, you look twice to make sure its really true.
When youre straining at the oars against an adverse wind, remember that at any moment you might look up and see salvation walking toward you, even if that seems as impossible as walking on water.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the quiet miracles that change our lives.Amen.
Al....you were wanting to go and the board obviously needed you to stay....and behold, a UCC folder!!
When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea.
Reflection by Christina Villa
This sentence from Mark is just one example of the peculiar way the Bible often has of describing extraordinary events. Jesus walking on water is surely one of the major astounding things in the entire New Testament. And yet here its related almost as an afterthought, a minor detail, as in she stepped off the curb, into a puddle.
Youd think there might be a little more build-up to a spectacle like this, some mention of the urgency Jesus felt to get out to the boat full of disciples by the most direct route. But no, he sees them in trouble and goes over to help, walking on the sea. No drama at all, just a flat statement.
This does often seem to be the way longed-for good news or desperately-needed help arrives in our lives. Without fanfare or advance notice, often after youve stopped waiting and wishing for itthere it simply is, like your lost dog sitting on the back steps. The job offer from an interview last year. The college acceptance letter amid a pile of rejections. The positive pregnancy test after years of infertility. You cant believe it, you thank God, you look twice to make sure its really true.
When youre straining at the oars against an adverse wind, remember that at any moment you might look up and see salvation walking toward you, even if that seems as impossible as walking on water.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the quiet miracles that change our lives.Amen.
Al....you were wanting to go and the board obviously needed you to stay....and behold, a UCC folder!!