The Miracle of Surrender

Then Jesus came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine.
—John 4:46

“I wish I could have been there,” I often say when talking about miracles. I would like to have seen a few fish and loaves feed a crowd of 5,000, to have seen Jesus calm the storm, and to have been surprised when jars of water turned into fine wine. It is not proof that I am looking for, it’s just that witnessing the inbreaking of God's presence would be such an experience, I regret that these things happened long before my time.

One day, I was working with a woman for whom drinking had become a problem. For her the adage held true: The woman took a drink; the drink took a drink; and the drink took the woman. It occurred to me that in some ways turning water into wine is an everyday occurrence. Somewhere along the line reaching for a glass of wine replaces reaching for a glass of water.

The miracle, in this woman's life, would be turning wine into water. It would take surrender; would be full of surprise; and would deepen her recognition of God's healing power.

It then occurred to me that many churches, perhaps even most churches, invite AA groups to use their basement, their library, their fireside rooms on a weekly basis. They do so expecting miracles to occur as wine turns into water, broken lives are healed, and the fullness of grace reappears.

It would have been quite an experience to have been there when Jesus turned the water into wine. But, it is just as deep an experience when we are in the presence of those who receive the equally powerful miracle of turning wine into water.

On this day, dear God, show us the miracles that sustain us and bring us closer to you. We thank you for turning water into wine, and for the equally wonderful miracle that changes wine into water. Amen.

Copyright © 2009 Larry Pray.