I screwed up recently. I didn’t do something that I clearly should have done. I blame Bruce Wilkinson and his book You Were Born for This: The Seven Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles. Now, it should be known that I don’t normally partake in books with titles that could be mistaken for the latest Joel Osteen bestseller. However, as a Christian, as someone who believes in miracles, and as someone who would like to give and receive more miracles, I downloaded it. (Thank you DC Public Library and your partnership with Amazon) The book itself is a simple and short read - much like that of his (in)famous Prayer of Jabez. Wilkinson makes the case of asking God to use you to carry out small miracles on a daily basis. This sounded great to me so I gave it a try.
After opening up my morning with some Bible reading and prayer, I asked that I could be a part of a small miracle for someone and headed off to work. I ride my bike to the Metro and have enjoyed the lack of extremely cold mornings until last Monday (December 12th). Upon arriving at the Metro, I simply wanted to get to the platform as soon as possible. I hurriedly attempted to lock my bike and then felt something inside of me say, “Here comes your miracle”. I turned around and a lady asked me if I had one dollar or two. I told her I didn’t and went back to finishing up my chain and U lock. As she asked others around me, I approached her and asked if there was something specific she needed. She indicated a bus ticket. I said “sorry” again and went up to the platform. As I walked away, I felt the convicting voice say, “That was your miracle”. I tried to ignore that and the fact that I actually did have cash on me. It all became too much to go to work on so I decided to head back outside of the station and find her. As I came out of the Metro station, however, she was nowhere to be found. I had my chance to a part of a small miracle and I blew it because the opportunity interrupted and surprised me.
I used to be a lot more of an impulsive person. After five and a half years of marriage, becoming a father, living in a high context culture, and two degrees later, I’ve become somewhat more calculated in my decisions. While much wisdom is derived from methodical decision making practices (Proverbs 19:2), one can over think a decision or a response like I did in the moment. Impulsive decisions shouldn’t be labeled as wholly detrimental. Rather, they should reveal the degree and speed to which you are able to discern opportunity to missed opportunity. My character just revealed the incorrect impulse. Mark Batterson said, “intellectual analysis usually results in spiritual paralysis.” Likewise, “responsible irresponsibility” has the potential to take over in moments like these. I was being responsible in desiring to get out of the cold keep myself healthy and get to work on time. Out of this sense of responsibility, I was irresponsible with my time and resources that God has given me.
I encourage you to look for a miracle in your life in this final week before Christmas. If you come across someone in need and ask God how He could allow such a thing, He may be asking you the same question.
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