The Greatest Miracle Not Seen

I sat with fascination as a friend told of a miraculous experience through which he had come. He said that he was near death, with doctors giving his family little hope of recovery. But through the prayers of others, and in the midst of sensing his life coming to an end, he cried out to God and received a miraculous healing! It was a very compelling story, and he planned to turn the story into a book.

This man was inspired to write down the details of this incredible experience, and to relay this story in his own words through a self-published book. My friend wanted to write this book because, according to him, he believed there was a greater purpose behind the writing – an opportunity to testify to God’s miraculous work in his life.

As my friend began to put pen to paper and recount the story to others, one of his close contacts informed him that the story was so dramatic, he could envision developing this story into a movie. When I heard this news, while I agreed that the story was very compelling, I wondered out-loud about the prospects of a movie based on this man’s life experience. I asked myself, “would anyone actually buy tickets to see such a thing?” I guess that was not a very supportive thing to say about a friend’s miraculous recovery.

I will be honest and say that with the first two books I myself have written, the dream of sharing a fascinating testimonial and gaining notoriety from my writing was something very real to me. It was not supposed to be about me. As I was writing these stories, I imagined the impact these testimonials might have to attest to God’s great work of redemption. While my first book was an academic resource and seemed to do quite well, I promised myself that if I ever wrote another book, it would be tailored to present God’s truths to an unbelieving world that needed to hear this “good news,” told through the stories of people who faced overwhelming circumstances and ultimately found freedom, overcame obstacles, then regained their lives and self-respect through second chances.

During the editing of my second book, I heard the often-repeated phrase that says first time authors of self-published books generally sell about 250 copies. While the self-publishing market is thriving (Milliot, 2023), it is still the case that the average self-published author will generally sell about 250 copies of their book over its lifetime (Alpha Book Publishers, n.d.).

I vowed that I would overcome these odds and developed a plan on how to achieve greater success in telling the stories of God’s miraculous work through my book. I can be honest and say that I did surpass that average sales number for self-published authors; but I am by no means on the NY Times best seller list.

My grand vision for the significant impact of my writing has tumbled back down to earth. I’m grateful for every opportunity I get to have articles published (thank you Judi!). I empathize with anyone who seeks to relay through the printed page or through celluloid their story of the miracle working power of God.

We see this example throughout the Book of Acts, as those impacted by the life of Christ share personal anecdotes interspersed with scripture to an unbelieving world. This was the method used powerfully by the Apostle Paul in Acts 22 and in his many letters. This is actually how we are advised in the scripture to share the gospel – Paul calls the Corinthians “letters from Christ,” to be read by all (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

As I stepped away from thinking about my friend’s story, it occurred to me that everyone’s story is worthy of the big screen. In actuality, each redeemed life story is a miracle! If we have given our lives to Jesus Christ, that redemption story is a verifiable miracle! How do I know that? Jesus actually tells us this.

It was on one amazing day… Jesus was healing everyone (Luke 5:17)! The crowds were building; and some of the men in this village were inspired to bring their paralyzed friend. They ran to get him, but by the time they brought him back, the crowds were just too large. Using tenacity and ingenuity, they climbed on the roof of the house where Jesus was perched and lowered their friend down through the roof right in front of Jesus! Wow (Luke 5:19)! Certainly now their friend would receive his healing!

Well, Jesus did heal the man, because of the faith of his friends. But before that, he said to the man, “your sins are forgiven.” Immediately the religious leaders began to question Jesus in their hearts: could He really forgive sins? Only God could do that! That’s where Jesus made this statement, equating the miraculous we see with the miraculous that is unseen and often missed.

“When Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered them, ‘Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you,” or to say, “Rise and walk?” But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—He said to the man who was paralyzed—'I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.’ And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God” (Luke 5:22-25 ESV).

What was Jesus saying? The miracle you see is the miracle of the paralyzed man walking; or the blind man seeing; or the person with leprosy being made whole. That’s the miracle you see. The miracle that is unseen is what only God can do – to change a wicked sinner’s heart and make him truly a son or daughter of God.

Of course, nothing is too hard for God! But Jesus compared a physical healing to an actual spiritual work of God that only God can do in our lives. Truly, both of these are miraculous! So when you see my friend’s story on the big screen, and the healing that he enjoyed, rejoice! We praise God for this actual miraculous healing he experienced. But just remember that your story of redemption is also a miracle!

My life is a miracle apart from the work of God – but it is all because of God! The fact that I breathe on my own is a miracle. The fact that I can walk around unaided is a miracle. Even with the edge of a cane or in a wheelchair, my life is an incredible miracle. The design of the body, the atmosphere that we breathe, all of this speaks to the miraculous. But besides that, having the opportunity to know God personally, and to have my sin-strained soul cleansed is the greatest miracle of all!

I must call my friend back, and urge him to finish that story; even if only 250 copies get sold, and the movie flops! Let all the books be written that tell of this story… what a minute! The greatest book of redemption has been written! That Bible in your drawer, or on the desk, or forgotten on a shelf – this book tells the stories of redemption. The greatest miracles not seen can be read about today! And we can respond to the miracles not seen just like the people in the crowd that day responded to what they saw: “And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, We have seen extraordinary things today’” (Luke 5:26).

Sources:

Alpha Book Publisher (n.d.). How many books do first time self-published authors sell? Alpha Book Publisher. 

Milliot, J. (2023, February 17). Self-Publishing Is Thriving, According to Bowker Report. Publishers Weekly 

(Luke 5:17-26 ESV)