1313. It’ll Take a Miracle

As we prepare to bid a not-so-fond farewell to 2020, we must deal with the possibility that it was only the beginning. I believe it’s more than a possibility, Yet, I am excited about 2021. I see it as a year of extremes-the good as well as the bad. If you’ve been paying attention, you should have some idea of what our enemies have planned. You should also be aware that God loves to display His sovereignty in times like this. Today’s title may express your reaction to the suggestion that anything good could come from more of the same. I get it, and I agree. But I believe the coming days will indeed bring miracles like we haven’t seen in a very long time. But before our Heavenly Father can trust His children with miracles, we need to take a look at some possible reasons why He has been so stingy in dishing them out in the U.S. Most of us have heard stories or personally witnessed the miraculous in other parts of the world, but why not here?

In a previous article, I addressed the need for caution when seeking miracles, but here I want to take a closer look at what may be preventing them. One of the spiritual gifts (manifestations of the Spirit) listed in 1 Corinthians 12 is that of miracles, and God distributes all the gifts as He chooses. You may passionately desire to perform the miraculous, but if you don’t have the gift, it’s not going to happen. So why do so few Christians in America appear to have this gift? I believe it is because so few of us in our narcissistic society could be trusted with miracles. I am also convinced that most Christians have yet to embrace our co-crucifixion with Christ. We’re convinced that we’ve got what it takes, so there’s no need for our old self to die. Consequently, we live most of our Christian life in the flesh, and the flesh loves to take the credit when God moves through us in a powerful way. Only a person who has been permanently humbled can be trusted with miracles. Look at how God used Moses, whom God said was the most humble man alive.

If miracles are to occur in the coming days, we can expect a lot of humbling, and the process is never pretty. But once God has made us usable, we can expect God to use us mightily, with Him receiving all the glory. Jesus said that because He was going to the Father, we would do even greater things than He did, and these things aren’t limited to the miraculous. Just because we don’t have the “gift,” doesn’t mean God won’t use us in powerful ways. Instead of seeking miracles, perhaps we should ask God to make us usable so He can work through us as He chooses.

In the coming year I will focus on our responsibilities in becoming more usable so there is nothing lingering in us that is preventing God from displaying His glory and power through us while the world seems to be coming apart. God is still in the miracle business but He needs yielded servants who have learned what it means to deny themselves and take up their cross. The coming year may be the most exciting year of your life, but only if you’re willing to be made usable.