The Lord's Miracles and Magic Are Not The Same Thing.

On July 9^th Rev. Ray postulated in the News Leader that we need to view miracles in the Holy Scriptures as mere magical stories. He opines that to believe in the wonders of Jesus is superstitious magic.

       Magic is rejected by the Apostles. They had conflicts with magicians who wanted to purchase the Holy Spirit to make money. A magician sells an illusion that supernatural power can be forced to to get us what we want. Magic requires no submission to the higher will of our Creator. With a magician, you pay and expect the results you demand.

Palm Readers and Tarot Card spiritualists prey upon desperate people who will resort to any means to find relief for problems.

They are not willing to surrender to the higher will of God. Magic is an inventive attempt to secure supernatural power.

       Biblical miracles are not magic. They are a sign of God's caring and delivering power. A divine miracle is an experience of God in our distress. It is beyond our control or explanation. It is a sign of the grace of God and makes us aware we are not in control. We can only ask humbly for the healing power of God. We do not use a ritual or offer money to make this happen. In no way can we tame God's mercy.

       When I was a prison chaplain an inmate at Leavenworth USP was beaten senseless with a medal pipe and left for dead. The medical staff gave no hope for his recovery or to be a functional human being. To the amazement of the medical experts he woke up and fully recovered all cognitive and physical abilities.

      He requested that we talk. He was surprised to be alive. He asked ; “Why did God spare my life? I do not deserve God's help. I was never good or religious. What does God want from me?” He was in awe of his life's meaning. For the first time he acknowledged the reality of a power greater than human violence. In the presence of the divine mystery of recovery he searched for God's purpose. He experienced this miracle as God's wake up call.

      Instead of denying miracles with the arrogance of a closed rationalistic attitude, it is better to pray for the ability to recognize miracles for what they are and to be thankful for divine mercies.

     The Scriptures warn us to avoid magical thinking about our expectations. Galatians 6:7 warns, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.” Some inmates wrongly expected forgiveness to bring a quick cure from painful consequences. Forgiveness removes guilt and shame, but it is not an escape from problems. We ask for the mercy of God's forgiveness knowing it is not a magic wand. The way to success is to practice kindness, self-control, faithful morality, and wisdom. Our hope is not in magic, but in the harvest honest and generous actions bring.