The Miracle: A Chance to Become

The Miracle: A Chance to Become
By: Jacob Sok




February 22nd 1980, one of the most riveting moments ever, in American Olympic tradition. The United States and the Soviet Union amidst cold war relations of mixed political structure and philosophical values, faced off in the Winter Olympic Hockey Finals of the 1980 games.
The Soviet Union undefeated, undaunted, unmatched, this vessel of victory was not only an overshadowing super power but yet a dominating platform of athletic superiority. The United States in faith of a newly appointed coach Herb Brooks, awaited anxiously the outcome of the seemingly insurmountable task that laid before the rather "unorthodoxly" recruited team of armature players (as to the norm of using professional NHL stars to form the team). With under a minute left the world waited on pins and needles watching in disbelief as the United States scored several shots  in the later half of the game and withheld the puck from the Soviets. Final Score being USA:4 to Soviet:3

The climatic moment was historically coined in one line of dialogue by sports-caster Al Michaels who famously asked the world watching as the clock finished "Do you believe in miracles? YES!".

Now my sporting career got about as varsity as the marching band, but yet every time I re-watch that footage I am enveloped in a sense of suspenseful joy and awe. Now before I lose the readers in glory day ESPN sports coverage of this feat, I wish to bring our attention to the culminating question of this event. "Do you believe in Miracles?"


What a question for our day and age. Its not everyday you hear the world miracle as a modern day vernacular. What constitutes a miracle? Do they even exist in our lives today?
With the term miracles, I am either reminded of Moses parting the red sea or the 1947 Christmas classic of a movie depicting a Department store Santa Clause getting the people of new York to believe in him again  (Miracle on 34th Street). Or rather for me in my life using the term miracle seemed to refer to abstract feats of wonder- unattached to my personal circumstance, from the Lord feeding the 5,000 to Noah's survival of the flood, never  to be a modern mere everyday occurrence.
Don't get me wrong I have come to see and even in moments of my adolescence, the blessings of the Lord unfold and they truly have been miraculous.

I guess the point I would like to make is best stated by inviting all of us to not withhold ourselves from the greatest miracle of all; the very Son of God being proactive in our lives. Not just some idle presiding figure of ambiguous involvement. My testimony today is that He is with us from the moment we wake up and even through the night till we start again. 24/7, thick and thin, What a miracle, that the King of Kings is the Friend of Friends.

It is my prayer that hope and strength can be mutually found between you and I from the spirit, as we examine the following passages of recent reading I have found in the Book of Mormon. In the Book of Moroni the last author of the book itself and last survivor of his people, inserts and excerpt from the teachings of his father Mormon, in the seventh chapter of his writings. His father Mormon a war leader overcome by the internal destruction of his people by  rebellion, sees the carnage brought about by self-inflicted wounds of those who to the extreme turned from God. Yet even in this bleak scene his council to any who would read his words, is a message of pure Hope.

Witnessing these awful events He asks us this rather unexpected question in Chapter 7 verse 27 "Have the miracles ceased?". Now in no way doubting the miracles himself he turns to his brethren, he repeatedly asks if miracles have ceased simply because Christ had ascended into heaven. Or rather, is it so far fetched to think that just because of the mortal trials and physical separation from the Lord that He can no longer work miracles in us or for us?
In verse 26 we read about this beautiful promise, "Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the father in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.". What a promise almost seem miraculous, that the Lord would be so in-tuned to our individual needs that we can simply call upon Him for help. What a powerful message given to this people during such a horrible time. I cannot think of a more pertinent message for us to day.

Mormon's message goes beyond stating the doctrinal promise of heaven's aid and personal miracles, He goes on to explain the principles that bring us to those tender mercies from heaven. He states three key principles that are also attributes of the Savior being Faith, Hope and Charity.

We can read in verses 28-33 that Faith is the fuel by which we can bring about good works, even fruit of repentance. This often seems difficult but we can not attack the uphill strides of life by just standing still. Faith moves as we do. Now with the invitation to repent, it often has a negative connotation but I am learning that to repent means nothing more than to return. The small simple efforts of faith are what count and the miracles are results provided by heaven based on our simple tiny steps forward. Its these very steps that cultivate a real, and personal hope, not borrowed hope or temporary but even our very own hope. As we taste of this hope which I testify is real we become more open to the refining will of the Lord which motivates us to share in faith and hope with others. Charity being "the pure love of Christ" is the final principle that makes this promise. Charity believes all things suffers all things, hopes all things.Charity never fails(verses 45-46). This powerful principle allows us to experience joy at its fullest measure. And brings with it the promise that as we apply it we will "become the sons of God, that when he shall appear we shall be like Him, see him as He is."(verse 48).

Now that is miraculous. The trials and needs we pass through in life take different form and the help wanted is specific to each circumstance. But I truly feel that the greatest miracle that can occur is not one of health or financial security, it is as I stated that as we adhere to these principles of faith and hope and charity we can experience a change in ourselves that becomes firm, still and reassuring. Thus gaining the power to see and receive the miraculous mercies of heaven.

The greatest miracle of all is because of the greatest gift of all. The gift of the Savior is that to try agin, to hope again, to believe and heal again. I have personally (not all at once) but piece by piece come to feel this gift this miracle in my life. From small beginnings to very real and special moments I hold dear. I know that if there be a God he must be good, for where it not so I would not find strength in the miracles of Life.

So I would ask you and myself once more to think on Mormon's question "Have the miracles ceased?" This truth is found in our opportunity to become. The word become constitutes that we are to "be" something and fill that role as we "come" to some place. I testify that ours if the chance to BE as the savior and COME to the savior. As we do so I promise that those principles and gifts will open heavens doors to specific circumstances of our life's. The best part being we get to do this over and over again. So as Al Michaels or the prophet Mormon would ask "Do you believe in miracles" I know that my answer is humble yet resolute yes!

May God bless us as we try to see the miracles unfold.


[Sources: Book of Mormon; Moroni 7. Pictures; 1980 USA Hockey team through Google Search. Painting of the Savior by Greg Olsen]