The "extra" in the ordinary.

There’s a part in Acts that always gives me pause:

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

At first, this might seem like Paul is elevated in some way. That he’s a saint with a capital “S” and has reached some sort of spiritual plane you and I could only dream about.

But then, this phrase:

“God did extraordinary miracles...”

For one, these weren’t “everyday” miracles. And Scripture is clear to point out that God did them.

Not Paul.

So why were these extraordinary miracles necessary?

Ephesus was a place of the dark arts. People there were obsessed with them because, in their minds, it was the only way to seek spiritual help and guidance.

So, what did God do? He met them where they were and lifted the veil over their eyes by showing them who the ultimate power on this planet is.

This is important because if you’re like me, you get hung up on the magical handkerchief part and start researching how to become a better Christian so you, too, can offer these miracles to others.

Oh, but Ericka, this is never the point, friend.

The point is that God meets people where they are at. And He will use what He decides is the best way to reach them.

So, spending our time convinced that we need to “practice” our “crafts” in order to do “great things” for God, may just be an exercise in fooling ourselves.

Instead? We need to make sure our hope is in Christ and not our own measly human “powers.”

Quick side note: why don’t we see more “extraordinary miraculous” in America?

Because as a culture, that’s not where we reside. Collectively speaking, we’re not outwardly obsessed with the occult (although that evil is pervading more and more each day).

So, where exactly do we reside? On the corner of Covetousness and Distraction.

We’re obsessed with our social media feeds, our Netflix accounts, that trip to Disney our frenemy just took, money, power...

You name it.

So don’t be surprised if God asks you to step into a realm that doesn’t seem “extraordinary,” and instead, seems pretty routine.

Because the “extraordinary” isn’t in the miracle itself.

It’s in the result: the changing of hearts.