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47 years ago? Can it truly be that long? But you know what they say. Math don’t lie. And the numbers add up to (or subtract to) 47 years. I’m ramblin’ on about it because 1974 was the year, and today was the day (March 19), the band, Jefferson Airplane, became Jefferson Starship. And it was 1975 when they had a big hit with their “Miracles” song. And I can’t tell you how profoundly that song changed my life.No, I can’t tell you how the “Miracles” song changed my life because…
It didn’t. In fact that song was more like a fingernail on a chalkboard to me. And no matter how many times I heard it, I just didn’t like it.
So, you might say, “Duh, Tony. Then, why’d you listen to it so many times?”
Because it was a favorite song of a roommate of mine, back in my days as a bartender in a disco club in the greater Kansas City area. He was from California. And his nickname was “Moon Doggy.” And I’m not making that up. So, he’d been a fan of Jefferson Starship since their days as Jefferson Airplane. And I guess he just really, really liked their new sound.
But that song drones on and on with lyrics repeated over and over. The message is clearly about a sexual relationship (big surprise in pop music, right?), and it repeats the phrase/chorus:
“If only you believe like I believe, baby (If only you believe like I believe)
We’d get by
If only you believe in miracles, baby (If only you believe in miracles)
So would I”
Not sure how many times that’s in the song. But I’m not gonna listen to it again and count. And I don’t recommend you do that either. Just take my word for it. It’s a lot.
But this song came up in my head (oh brother) because of a thread of conversation I saw online recently. It was based on the question…
“Do you believe in miracles?”
And if you’re a Christian, I hope you realize what a stupid question that is. Because Christians, above all other people except maybe Jews, should believe they’re real.
But the underlying (and overt) debate becomes whether or not miracles are “for today.”
Of course, they’re not.
But that doesn’t mean they’re not real. Because God is free to do as He sees fit. And He’s not constrained by any schedules we little humans put on the matter. But God has presented a wide range of dispensations, over the centuries, to save His creations. Some of those times included working miracles in the lives of His people.
So, you read the Bible, and of course…you believe in them.
But you keep reading the Bible and you see how faith doesn’t come by miracles. It comes by hearing. And hearing the Word. And you keep reading and digging deeper, and you see how those miraculous events almost always encouraged unbelief.
Weird, right?
Yeah, we humans tend to get downright weird about the amazing things God can do AND has done. And too many wanna watch “the show” rather than build a relationship with the One who made us.
And here’s what I think is miraculous. The fact that God still desires to have anything at all to do with us. Especially considering how the vast majority of people on the planet hate Him. But He’s a God of love and loving relationships. And He’s willing to endure much hate to enjoy what little love He gets from us.
So my answer to the question about believing in miracles is “Yes, I believe in them. But my trust is in the God who provided the one and only miracle I need (or anyone needs). God’s miracle that erases the need for any and all other miracles. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of His Son. Because that equals eternal life for me. And it shows the greatest Love.
And Moon Doggie…if you’re listening…
If only you believe and trust in God,
You’ll do much more than just get by.
If only you believe and trust in God,
You’ll live forever when you die.
Stay tuned,
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Or how about some music for kids