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Posted by: John_Hamilton on 03/19/2012 10:05 PM
Updated by: John_Hamilton on 03/19/2012 10:59 PM
Expires: 01/01/2017 12:00 AM
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Respirit – Week 12 “Expect A Miracle!” By Catherine Lewallen
Murphys, CA...I was raised on the expression, “Hope for the best, expect the worst.” It certainly seems like pretty solid advice. It allows us to prepare ourselves for any circumstance the natural world can throw at us, while perhaps maintaining an optimistic, hopeful attitude. But it doesn’t allow for our supernatural God. He is not bound by our human expectations. The gospel of Mark tells us that with God all things are possible, so start expecting miracles!...
I am beginning to realize that in today’s world, probably in America in particular, we are ignoring the miracles all around us. God performs them every day. But we are too busy to notice. We are also too eager to explain them away. I have been cured of an incurable cancer. But people are not impressed. They are comfortable believing that it will come back. They want to give the credit to the medical community. Some people even want to give ME the credit. These are ideas that the human mind can easily wrap itself around.
In other parts of the world, particularly less-developed countries, Christian missionaries are seeing amazing miracles every day. Without the hustle and bustle of “civilization,” and with a complete focus on the Lord’s work, these things are readily observable. I’m talking about the dead rising. The blind regaining their sight. The lame are walking. So, why don’t we expect to see such things? More accurately, why do we not even believe these things are happening when we hear about them?
Instead, we ask God for the bare minimum. When I was struggling with the pain of chemotherapy, I would pray for relief for just one day. Or even just one hour. Why? Why would I have such a meager request for such an awesome God? He loves me and has limitless power. “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind; is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)
Perhaps within our personal relationships we have the lowest expectations. We are so quick to make concessions thinking something or someone is the best we could find, or of all we are worthy. Does that sound like God’s plan for you? Did He promise an average plan reflective of His apathy for you? Absolutely not! His plan is perfect and He is loving and completely available to you. We are just not patient enough to see His plans for us come to be. We stumble upon something that is “good enough” and we snatch it up.
Here’s the sad part… When you do find the perfect path that He designed just for you, you will be filled with remorse. I don’t want to say “regret,” because I try not to live with regret. I try to have gained something from every relationship or situation, no matter how difficult or challenging. But the remorse is overwhelming. I have literally fallen to my knees and begged His forgiveness for having not waited for His plan to unfold for me. Of course, He knew I wouldn’t wait. He was probably shaking His head with a knowing smile on His face, loving me through every ridiculous minute.
I have discovered His path only after I abandoned all preconceptions of my life. Cancer forced me to do this, I must admit. That is a big reason why I am so grateful for this disease. I walked down a metaphorical hallway that had only closed doors down each side. The image He gave to me had only one open door: right at the end. I couldn’t see what was through that doorway but He compelled me to continue to move forward towards it, just waiting for His instructions. He did not give me any indication that I should be turning or stopping, so I continued on.
As I experience what His true blessings feel like, I am overwhelmed. They are nothing like the successes I’ve forced to happen. Those earlier “successes” were somewhat rewarding at best. God’s plan brings absolute exhilaration. I have never before encountered anything comparable. His true blessings feel completely inexplicable, which is frustrating for a writer, I must admit. All I can say, is when you have completely humbled yourself to Him and only follow what He alone puts before you, you too will experience this euphoria. I promise you that. But more importantly, God promises you that. “God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible” (Colin Urquhart).
So, raise your expectations! God delivers! Stop settling for less. Humble yourself and create a “you” that is ready to receive His gifts. You will be showered in them and in amazingly unexpected ways. I apologize that I don’t know where I read this, so I cannot reference the original author, but it stuck with me and I am compelled to share it: “Too low they build who build beneath the stars.”
Editors Note...Catherine's fight with cancer and the manner in which she has fought it publicly has been an inspiration to many. If you would like some context and a more personal look at her battle you can find it on the Caring Bridge Website Here! We would like to welcome Catherine as one of our contributors and we hope her story can help you along your journey in life.
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