By Josmat Jerry
In many occasions of our lives, we must have vastly felt tired. Amidst our daily routines, we strive to make time for our families, for everything and everyone, constantly fighting for the common good. In the most difficult moments, however, when it seems that there’s no way to solve the challenges we’re facing, we have the feeling that only a miracle is going to save us. Miracle as a concept has been shattered by various confusions, is it natural, spiritual or a myth? Is it something we work for? Is it meant for everyone? How does it works? Who performs miracle, God? Individuals? Does it occur every day?
Every single moment is a coincidence and that itself is a miracle, miracles does happen every day, some people don’t actually think so, but they do. In all situations, we need to remember that we are never alone, God is always with us and does not forsake us, He virtually knows it all, all we pass through (problems, constant heart breaks, challenges) He is aware of it all. Our starting point and finishing zone is very much clear to Him, He knows when our life needs miraculous intervention and He will surely intervene if we are walking in the right sense because, He is everywhere.
Miracle is an extraordinary and astonishing happening that is attributed to the presence and action of an ultimate or divine power. Merriam Webster defines it as thus: An extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs; an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing or accomplishment. A miracle is generally defined, according to the etymology of the word, it comes from the Greek thaumasion and the Latin miraculum, as that which causes wonder and astonishment, being extraordinary in itself and amazing or inexplicable by normal standards.
A particular concept which is normal and usual is considered as natural, miracles have occasionally been defined as supernatural events, but this definition presupposes a very specific conception of nature and cannot, therefore, be generally applied. The importance of a miraculous event is frequently held to reside not in the event as such but in the reality to which it points (e.g., the presence or activity of a divine power); thus, a miracle is also called a sign from the Greek Semeion, signifying and indicating something beyond itself. Extraordinary and astonishing occurrences become specifically religious phenomena when they express, reveal, or signify a religious reality.
Belief in miraculous happenings is a feature of practically all religions, and the incidence of miracles (i.e., of belief in and reports regarding miracles) is universal, though their functions, nature, purpose, and explanations vary with the social and cultural context in which they appear. However, all miracles have an explanation in the sense that they are accounted for in terms of the religious and cultural system that supports them and that, in turn, they are meant to support. Without such an accompanying theory e.g., the presence, activity, and intervention of such realities as gods, spirits, or magical powers, there would be no miracles in the aforementioned sense but only unexplained concept.
There is no general rule determining the types of occurrences that can be classified as miracles; they vary according to the cultural matrix of beliefs and assumptions. The mythological accounts of the origins of the gods and their activities in the past, as well as accounts of the activities of other ancient beings, such as first ancestors and culture heroes, should, perhaps, not be classed as miracles.
In many cultures, non-literate ones as well as some that were more highly developed, the operation of extraordinary forces was taken for granted and was integrated into the total world picture and into the procedures and the modes of action, e.g., magic, oracles, divination, of ordinary life. There were certain kinds of divine or spirit action and of cosmic operation that were considered to be a part of the normal order of things, even though it was generally admitted that priests and shamans would frequently resort to deceiving their diverse activities, which included such manifestations as prophecy, oracles, healing, magic, and judgment by ordeal.
How does miracle happen? Miracles happen through the strength of accompanying Faith. It is actually a stage of faith in which the feeling that motivates us to believe strongly also encourages us to do what is right, just, and good. In other words, it is the combination of faith with the practice of good deeds for the common good. God expects us to have attitude and commitment, if we need a miracle to happen, we should lift up our thoughts to the Father in Prayer, but also work and have the right ethical attitudes for achieving it.
Miracles do come at the right moment. It may not always happen the way we expect but it will invariably be the way it needs to happen. Sometimes we need to keep up with the challenge, because it will bring us valuable lessons for our lives, lessons we had not otherwise previously learned. And even, the miracle expected may be occurring and we’ve still not realized it.
Albert Eisten says, “There are two ways to live your life, one is though nothing is a miracle and other is though everything is a miracle.” Also, according to an American Christian movie, ‘Miracles are everywhere, Miracles are in goodness, Miracles are in God, God is forgiveness, and Miracles are God’s ways of letting us know we are not alone in our tribulations.” Live as every day is a miracle!
