Second Steps: The Direction of Freedom
When it’s time to get going, who can help you?
In the story of the Exodus, Moses finds help in two places. One is with his brother Aaron, who just kind of shows up out of nowhere on Moses’ trek from the wilderness to Pharoah, and the second is God, who also kind of shows up out of nowhere in a dramatic display of fire at the burning bush.
Showing up out of nowhere is the subject of this blog in a purposeful discussion about miracles - and we must reckon with miracles (and God, too, by the way) if we are going to comprehend this story. God is a character and miracles happen in it, so let’s go: What is a miracle and do you believe in them?
First thing’s first, defining a miracle.
Webster defines a miracle as an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs, which is a good place to start but is missing a critical element: goodness. Inexplicable things happening for good, and the benefit of life and thriving.
And guess what, with this little definition shift some of the classic biblical story-points that we define as miracles - are arguably not miracles! Instead, they’re just God being God and making choices. For example:
Burning bush moment to give Moses some empowered purpose = Miracle.
Turning the Nile River into blood = Super dramatic God-flex, but not a miracle.
Fiery hail that devastated Egypt = Impressive display of meteorology, not a miracle.
Splitting the Sea of Reeds so that the Israelites can make their way to freedom = Miracle.
Context is certainly critical but this is my new working definition because I think…it…works. There is some element of mystery, you might even say divine mystery, to incredible moments of healing, recovery, or rescue – but those events are also good! Like, if the war in Ukraine ended tomorrow - it would be a miracle and good.
The funny thing about miracles is…
…that the second you admit that you need one, you are also admitting complete hopelessness and doubt. Rock. Bottom. In that moment, whether you are standing at the edge of the Sea of Reeds in biblical Egypt or waiting for the War in Ukraine to end inextricably - you admit, no hope. So where do you find it, and is it a miracle if you do?
In my view if you do have hope for peace or hope for liberation, or if you are willing to start or continue on a journey to freedom, if you believe in love or something new being possible from that place of complete doubt - that shift is nearly (if not an absolute) belief born from faith.
Faith, by my definition anyway, being: an orientation to an unknown future that sees the possibility for good, and therefore a path worth pursuing for the benefit of life and thriving. And with this insight of casting a little light into a well of hopelessness, it can become possible to find a new sense of direction. (And it didn’t even take a miracle!)
That’s my working definition, at least. :) What do you believe? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Looking forward to the journey together,
Rabbi Jeff