Miracles and Faith

In church on Sunday, our pastor spoke about the storms of life and our faith in God. In Luke, chapter 8, we find the disciples and Christ in a boat trying to cross from one side of a lake to the other. I’ve never been to Israel, but I understand the storms there (such as on the Sea of Galilee) can form very quickly, making it quite dangerous for boaters.

In the Biblical account, Christ is sleeping in the boat when such a terrible storm comes up and the boat becomes swamped with water. At that point, the disciples woke Christ  with a frantic, “Master, master, we perish!” Christ rose, rebuked the wind and raging water, whereupon the sea became calm. Then Christ turned to the disciples and asks them where their faith is. At this point, the disciples are both afraid and filled with wonder, asking, “What manner of man is this? For he commands even the winds and water and they obey him.” (Luke 8:24-25, KJV)

The disciples were fishermen. They might have built the boat they were in. The knew the lake, they knew the weather patterns there. They knew each other and their capabilities. They put their faith in what they knew and Christ called them on it.

Like the storm, there are things that can rock our world: finances, fear, failure, uncertainty. And yet, as our pastor said, storms do not build faith. Storms reveal faith. Troubles in our lives show us where we have placed our faith. It might be in ourselves or in others around us.

Here comes my favorite part. I love miracles, the things that fall into the realm of the fantastic. I love the fact that Christ can stand up and command the elements to obey him. How cool is it that Christ can also save me from the difficulties in my life? Christ knew the disciples’ circumstances; he knows–and can change–my circumstances. And if he chooses not to, he has a reason. But the lesson here is to have faith in Christ regardless of our present circumstances.

In these uncertain times, life is difficult for many people. Here are a couple of scriptures that I find very comforting:

“…I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (1 Timothy 1:12b, KJV)

“The Lord is my light, and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of who shall I be afraid?…For in the time of trouble he shall hide me, he shall set me up upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:1, 5)

Thank you, Lord, for watching over us, for knowing–and guiding–the circumstances in our lives.

Reading Thoughts and Facing the Unknown

Dona Watson

In Luke (Chapter 7), we find a narrative about a woman who came to Christ as he was dining at a Pharisee’s house and began to weep at his feet, washing them with her tears. As she kissed Christ’s feet and anointed them with precious ointment, the Pharisee who had invited Christ began to grumble in his heart that if Christ were a prophet, he would know the woman was a sinner, implying that had Christ known, there’s no way he would have allowed this woman to touch him. 

At this point, in verse 40, we see what is perhaps my favorite part of the story: “And answering, Jesus said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ And he said, ‘Teacher, speak.’” The passage goes on to detail a parable Christ told about a creditor with two debtors, neither of whom could afford to repay their loan. Nonetheless, the creditor forgave their debts, one 500 denarii and the other 50. The story illustrates how those who are forgiven much, love much and those who are forgiven little, often love little. 

Many have waxed eloquent on the outcome of the story and the lesson Christ taught. However, today I am drawn back to verse 40 and the fact that Jesus answered Simon’s thoughts. That is the stuff legends are made of. If this were to happen in a novel, we would see some kind of sage who would know everything about you before you said anything, an all-powerful character who could bend heaven and earth at will. In such a story, the other party often either trembles in fear or bows in deep respect before such a formidable figure.

What joy to think that this is who my Lord is! Christianity is all about him, the one who can read my thoughts, the one true, all-powerful King of heaven and earth. Before such a God, I have no right to demand anything. I can only bow my head in humility before such power, before the One who knows the unknown. And the amazing part? He loves me. He knows me. He knows my life, just as he knew the situation with the woman who wept on his feet. He knew her, he loved her, and he forgave her. He wanted to help her face the unknowns in her life. 

The Bible teaches that he wants to extend that love to me. Christ wants to help me face the unknowns in my life. All I need to do is humble myself before him, honor him and seek forgiveness. He knows the answers. He knows the solutions we need to face the unknown.

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Fantasy Fiction: A Driving Passion

Dona Watson

Behind God and family, fantasy fiction is one of my driving passions–one of the key factors that make up who I am. Why fantasy? It might be for the brief escape from life gained from a few minutes of reading. It might be the way vast cultures and races designed by talented authors intrigue me. Regardless, I love the way fantasy fiction captures my imagination, poking me, prodding my thoughts toward something I’ve never before considered. To me, that is pure brain candy.

I know that to some Christians, fantasy fiction is frowned upon as a venture too far from reality to be healthy. In fact, not all see fiction itself as being wholesome in any way, but instead consider it to be simply a lie–as evidenced by scathing essays and posts that can be easily found on the internet. To those people, I would say, “Consider Christ’s parables.” Jesus Christ himself understood, in all of his wisdom, the explosive power a story can have on the human soul. Sometimes a story can capture our interest in ways that true life–or dryly recited principles–never can.

This is particularly true with our younger generation. Young people are so easily entranced by a good story. And this is where children of God can make a real difference in someone else’s life. Fantasy stories in particular capture young minds in ways no other types of stories can. I’m not talking about gritty, sensual fiction, but stories filled with action, intrigue, and light. What an opportunity we have to point others to Christ–the ultimate source of light in this increasingly darkening world.

As examples, I point to authors such as Bryan Davis, Wayne Thomas Batson, Sharon Hinck and others who have successfully captured our emotions and minds and then redirected us toward God and his precepts. Oh, that someday I might add my humble work toward achieving the same goal! Hence springs my love, my passion for fantasy fiction. Let’s embrace the passion and let our lights shine!