Peace in His Miraculous Power

I didn't intend for every post to start with "Peace in...". I'm learning there's peace to be found in places I'd never looked before. My definition of peace is evolving as I breathe in the Gospel of John. I'm finding peace in my other reading as well.

(Aside: I just finished reading Tony Dungy's book, "Quiet Strength". There's a link in my sidebar in the "Breathing In" box. Believe me, this book is outstanding! Even if you don't like football...which I personally can't imagine...you'll appreciate Coach Dungy's account of his spiritual journey and how he has used the NFL as a platform to glorify God. His website is here.)

Driving CJ to school this morning, I shared my quiet time experience with her. Today's reading was the miracle at the wedding.

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."

"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
~John 2:1-11

"You've never read that story before?!" she asked.

The truth is, I've read this story many times, but not quite like today. I'm so thankful God's Word meets us where we are and penetrates our hearts with freshness each time we read it!

I've always focused on the act of the miracle, not the object. Jesus tells the servants to fill the jars with water. At best, clean water is plain and has no taste. Nothing spectacular. Yet Jesus takes the very ordinary and turns it into something extraordinary. The water didn't have to do anything. Jesus applied his power to the available resource, and transformed it into something rich and sweet. He has the ability to transform my unremarkable existence into a remarkable life. I just need to be there.

Let's look for a moment at the recipient of this miracle...the bridegroom. What did he think when the master of the banquet came to him, with compliments for saving the best wine til the last? He knew he hadn't done so. Did he realize a miracle had occurred? While the guests were enjoying those last six jars of wine, did he wonder what exactly had taken place? He received praise for something Jesus had done on his behalf.

Sound familiar?

Jesus could have make a big fuss over His first miracle, but He quietly solved the problem. He didn't bring glory to Himself, but to the bridegroom. I enjoy seeing God show Himself in big, undeniable ways in my life. But the sweetest, most intimate moments are those when only He & I know what He's done.

May you find peace in knowing that He still performs miracles. Whatever your circumstance...whatever my circumstance...He can transform it to bring glory to Him. We need only be available, and let Him take care of the rest.

Peace to you, my sweet sisters.