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Oftentimes, we see athletes do amazing things. Before I started getting serious about sports, some of the things I saw on TV seemed to be impossible. My perspective on this changed as my training regimen evolved.
My first professional trainer played with the Philadelphia Eagles as well as the Baltimore Ravens. He taught me to practice impossible catches so that when I was placed in a game scenario, the impossible catches would become easy to me. It wasn’t long before I realized that athletes spent so much time practicing that what we see them do on television is simply a result of muscle memory.
mus·cle mem·o·ry
noun
the ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement.
Coming to Christ, one of the first stories I heard about was Jesus walking on water. Captivated by this seemingly impossible event that took place, my mind began to wonder — How did Jesus walk on water so confidently?
"25 And in the fourth watch [between 3:00—6:00 a.m.] of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright. 27 But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I Am! Stop being afraid!" - Matthew 14:22-23 AMPC
Maybe Jesus also had muscle memory in His faith. Maybe, Jesus had become so accustomed to walking by faith that He didn’t see water, but just another step.
"7 for we live by trust, not by what we see." - 2 Corinthians 5:7 CJB
What I’ve realized is that most Christians are amazed by signs and wonders that are actually supposed to be normal to us. So instead of signs and wonders validating who we are in Christ, they have become so uncommon in our lives that we have actually changed our definition of them altogether. Our miracles have downgraded from healings and walking on water to simply making it to church on time or recieving a front row parking space even though our doctors encourage us to walk more.
"17 And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;18 They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well." - Mark 16:17-18 AMPC
Isn't it a shame that most Christians today can be found chasing after signs and wonders that are actually supposed to follow us? The name “Christian” says who you are and what you believe, but signs and wonders are the proof in the pudding. The life of a true believer should consist of taking many steps outside of the normal, everyday life.
The Question of the Day: Do you have signs or are you still wondering if they exist?