On that same occasion Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will.” (Luke 10:21)
Our adult daughter, Ashley, had a growth in her ear canal that caused minor discomfort for two years before she had it examined. The doctor feared it was a tumor and referred her to a specialist. Ashley decided to go to her specialist first, to Jesus. After an anointing prayer by her church, she went to the recommended doctor. He found nothing, and the pain was gone. It seemed a miracle of God in response to prayer.
When I relayed the event to an American Christian, he typified our worldview by saying, “She probably had a plant seed that fell out between examinations.”
Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples with authority to heal, cast out demons, and preach. They returned, jumping with excitement over God’s power. Jesus said the miracles they experienced were hidden from the wise and learned. Only those with childlike faith can see what God does.
The problem is not the rarity of God’s interventions but the jadedness of man’s faith. With my worldly education, I wait for physical manifestations of spiritual realities. It’s like waiting for a bird to fly past before I accept that air must be around me. I have much to unlearn.
If I want to rejoice as Jesus did, I must return to innocent trust. Cold cynicism will never get me there. I need to make my request, then reach for the touch of God’s Spirit like a three-year-old.
Prayer: Father, give me childlike eyes for the unseen.