Magic is certainly entertaining, but after the magic show has come to an end, we are left with nothing more than fading memories of grand illusions and puzzling predicaments. It's great to be entertained, but when life has you pressed up against a wall and there is nowhere to turn, the best a magic trick can do is take your mind off of your troubles for a moment. When you need to be delivered, you need more than magic, you need a miracle.
Look at what happened in Acts 8:9-13 with the story of a sorcerer named Simon:
| "But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God."And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done." Simon the sorcerer declared himself to be someone great and then appeared to back it up with amazing feats of magic. The text says he astonished them for a long time. Some of us have been believing in the wrong people and the wrong things for a long time. We have been bewitched and bewildered and we don't even know it.... Thank God that despite the deceptive tricks of the enemy, if we truly desire truth in our hearts, we shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free. The Samarians had been hoodwinked and were essentially worshiping Simon, but when they listened to Philip preach the Good News and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, which was an outward sign of an inward miraculous change in their lives. Their acceptance of Jesus Christ initiated the miraculous transformation that resulted in their salvation. They moved beyond entertainment and into inner attainment. Some of us prefer to be entertained by whatever the latest music artist, actor or magician is offering. We will faithfully buy their CDs, DVDs and whatever else is being sold in their name. We will try to dress like them, get the same types of tattoos and piercings like them, even walk and talk like them in an attempt to find joy, meaning, and a sense of self. Yet, we don't realize that those trinkets and traits are as empty as a magician's hat when it comes to satisfying our souls. Why do we readily believe a magician's trick, but refuse to believe the miracles of God? I love being amused and entertained, it's one of the simple joys in life. But, I refuse to place more faith in entertainers than in God. Some of us may not have intended to do that, but that's what has happened. We dutifully obey a singer who says, "wave your hands in the air, and wave them like you just don't care...." but refuse to lift our hands in worship at church. We dream more about visiting Disneyland than we do about a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I have nothing against Mickey Mouse and I think Disneyland is a great place to visit. But if I had to choose between the Magic Kingdom and the Kingdom of God, I would have to say, "Sorry Mickey, but the Magic Kingdom doesn't hold a candle to the miracles of THE Kingdom!" Enjoy all the magic that life has to offer, but be sure to embrace all the miracles awaiting you at God's altar. BNcouraged! Rev. Karen |
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