Bible Reading: Matthew 8:5-13
I once drove for over 60 kilometers in Lagos before realizing that my car’s number plate was missing. I was perplexed as to what to do next, so many options swirling in my head. First I considered the option of getting a new one and all the challenges of getting a new one; on a second thought, I thought of going back to look for it, going back 60 kilometers in Lagos traffic! While I was still considering what other options I had, my heart echoed these words – “Man of God, practice what you preach – Define your miracle point”. So I paused for a while and said, Holy Spirit I do not want to search for this number plate. I want you to lead me to the exact spot where it is. Immediately, he said to me – go right under that flyover and you will find it. I replied – objection my Lord! How could it be under the flyover? But as I wanted to continue with my protest, I realized that I did not even have a clue of where it could be, and the best thing to do at that point was to obey. So I took a ride straight to the bottom of the bridge and on getting there, the first thing I saw was the number plate.
This experience and many more, constantly reminds me of how we Christians limit ourselves by defining unfavorable miracle points. I could have desired to find the number plate after searching through the entire road. I could have even given up the idea of finding it; but I went for a more favorable option. This was because I learnt from the experiences of the people described below.
The woman who suffered chronic bleeding for twelve years defined her miracle point when she saw Jesus. She said to herself, if I can touch the hem of his dress, I will get well (Mat 9:20). There were many people touching Jesus at that time, but not all of them defined “touching him” as their miracle point. If she had said – “if I can just set my eyes on him, I will get well”. It would have happened just as she has defined.
“When Jesus entered into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, saying, Lord, my servant lies paralytic in the house, suffering grievously. And Jesus says to him, I will come and heal him. And the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not fit that thou shouldest enter under my roof; but only speak a word, and my servant shall be healed” (Matthew 8:5-8). In verse 13, Jesus said to the centurion, Go, and as thou hast believed, be it to thee. And his servant was healed in that hour.
The centurion is another person who defined his miracle point.
Jesus did not say – No, I am the one that will define when and how the miracle will take place. He however said ‘as thou hast believed’. That is, it will happen just as you have defined it because you believe. The woman said “if I can touch …”; the centurion said “if you can speak …”; what are you saying? What are you defining as your miracle points as you set out to achieve your goals and to be a blessing to this generation? Remember these people were not Christians. If we say we are tongue-talking, demon-casting and serpent-picking people then we shouldn’t be lily-livered, yellow-bellied and chickenhearted when it comes to producing results in our daily lives. We should not reduce what we read from the Bible to mere stories, they should ignite us to display the glories of the new creation that we are. We have been called to a high calling and we should be operating at a higher level. If an unbeliever can do everything we do and have everything we have, then something is wrong somewhere. Start defining miracle points in a way unbelievers can never attempt. Start doing things that will make unbelievers to ask you about the God you serve. One of your primary assignments as a Christian is to make the most of the limitless resources and powers you have in Christ in a way that will attract others to Christ. If you start doing exploits by defining favorable miracle points, then you have started gaining points in your assignment.
– tope aladenusi
