Missions Minded

Now that we’re getting back into normal life again (for the most part), I have a story to share with you about one of our medical clinics last week.

First, think about this question: Does God still performs miracles? I’m not talking about the “Miracle on Ice” or a Benny Hinn revival. Have you ever directly seen or experienced a modern day miracle? Do you believe God can and does bless the world through miracles today?

While you’re pondering these questions, listen to this story.

Last week we were doing our sixth of seven medical clinics. We had a sweet lady come in — probably in her sixties — with very high blood pressure. If my memory serves me well it was 220 over 110. Dangerously high. So high in fact that the doctor recommended that she go to the hospital immediately.

Katherine and I escorted her to the car to go to the emergency room. On the way we (mostly Katherine) talked with the woman (in Spanish, of course). “Why do you think your blood pressure is so high?” Katherine asked. The lady didn’t hesitate in her response. It’s because my two grown sons are alcoholics. And my husband and I don’t know what to do.

Katherine immediately asked Do you know Jesus Christ?
Yes, I know who he is.
But does he live in your heart?
No.
Do you know know what that means? And do you want him to live in your heart?

[I'm getting chills just writing about this!]

We asked the woman if she would like to pray with us — to accept Jesus into her heart. Wiping away tears she replied, “Yes.”

We prayed in the car on the way to the ER. Think about that. Praying for salvation while driving to the emergency room. I’m pretty sure that’s how God wants to pray. He wants us to pray with desperation. Pray with sincerity and with faith. Pray without thinking about what would happen if God doesn’t answer. Know that he will. Emergency room prayers. That’s a godly concept, in my opinion.

Katherine said a prayer of repentance and thanks. The dear, sweet lady repeated her words.

Katherine also prayed for healing. She prayed that the lady’s sons would find Jesus — that they would turn from their destructive ways. We prayed for the woman’s husband too. We prayed that God would take care of all of their family’s problems, their worries, and her ailments.

What an amazing car ride! We pulled up to the hospital. Katherine and the woman went inside while I waited in the car (in the midst of all this we didn’t forget that the police in Cartago like to give parking tickets).

I was somewhat surprised when I saw Katherine and the woman walking out of the front entrance 20 minutes later. That’s a fast ER visit (especially in Costa Rica).

“That was quick,” I said. “What happened?”
“We have great news,” Katherine replied, nearly shouting with excitement. “Remember how we prayed for healing?”
“Yeesss…”
“God did it! She’s healed!”
“What do you mean?”
“Her blood pressure. It’s normal! The doctor tested and re-tested her. It’s 130 over 80! He said there’s nothing wrong with her!”

One thirty over eighty.

Now I’m no doctor, but I’m pretty sure a person’s blood pressure doesn’t go from 220/110 to 130/80 during a 15-minute car ride! That just doesn’t happen.

But miracles do happen.

When we got back to the clinic, the woman shared what happened to her to all of the other patients waiting in line. What an incredible testimony. A testimony to God’s greatness — and his present power and love for us. Just imagine the impact of the woman’s story to her friends, neighbors, and fellow patients.

I’m not sure how the lady is doing today (a few days later). [I'll try to follow-up with the pastor for updates.] But I know she is now a believer. And I know that she experienced something miraculous in her life. Something amazing. Something unexplainable, at least scientifically. Something real.

Miracles happen.

They probably happen everyday. All around us. It’s just that we’re usually too busy to notice. I’m thankful that on that day God allowed me to see one of his miracles first-hand.

Let’s go back to my initial question. Does God still perform miracles today? If you didn’t say Yes before, I hope you can change your answer now. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see miracles everyday. And the miracles we do see are usually filed away in our memory banks, infrequently entering our daily thoughts, rarely impacting our lives or our faith. Maybe that’s why God performs (seemingly) so few miracles today.

But with this said, I hope that this account will cause you to pause and reflect on God’s goodness. We shouldn’t need supernatural reminders of this truth — we have the Bible and our personal walks with God to teach us about his greatness and mercy. But miracles are still cool. And they point to a Loving Savior who cares for us so much that he sent his only Son to save us. I pray that this miracle from Our Great God blesses you as much as it did me.