They saw Jesus walking on the sea. // John 6:19
I woke up this morning afraid. The world is at war in way it has not been in my lifetime, and this frightens and grieves me.
When my grandfather was dying of lung and brain cancer, still a young man, I never met him, he offered up his suffering, which was very great indeed, for the conversion of Russia. My little grandpa, impoverished and anonymous, leaving six young children and a wife behind, in a tiny rural town of no specific note, praying for the conversion of Russia.
Grandpa, please keep praying for the world’s conversion—and mine.
But what this makes me wonder is: Why did Jesus bother to walk on the water? Wasn’t changing water to wine, healing the sick, multiplying loaves and fishes enough? Why add this miracle to the list that was already so compelling, so convincing?
The miracles of Jesus are never for Jesus—He knows Who He is. And He didn’t care about appealing to the power brokers of the world, the wealthy, the politicians. He didn’t appear to Caesar on Easter morning, saying, “Ha! I told you so!” but to Mary Magdalene, His dear friend who had no standing in the world.
When I wake up afraid, I must remember, the miracles of Jesus are for me—for you, for the Body of Christ. Some days, we can never have too many of them.
When the violent storms rage around us, swallow us up with their ferocity and malice, let’s turn to Jesus and see Him walking toward us. Let’s hear Him say to us, to His friends, “Do not be afraid. It’s me. I’m here” (John 6:20). Let’s trust all the miracles He has in store and that before we even know it, we’ll arrive, safe and sound, at an eternal shore.
Make a list of your fears and anxieties. Offer that list to the Lord. Then pray for the conversion of someone you know who needs Jesus just as much as you do.
The miracles of Jesus are never for Jesus. // Liz Kelly Click to tweet
Liz Kelly Stanchina is a jazz singer who met Jesus in late-night adoration. She is the community leader for women’s formation at the Word on Fire Institute and the author of more than a dozen award-winning books, including Jesus Approaches, Love Like a Saint, and the Blessed is She Advent devotional A Thrill of Hope. She holds advanced degrees in creative writing and Catholic studies. She is trained as a spiritual director, leading retreats and speaking around the world with a particular focus on helping women to flourish in their faith. Visit her website at LizK.org or follow her on Instagram at LizKToday.
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