A Million Little Miracles

1. God's Grandeur: Seeing Beyond the Mundane

“We should always endeavor to wonder at the permanent thing, not the mere exception.”

Everyday miracles. We often overlook the miraculous nature of the ordinary, like the sunrise, a breath, or the beating of our hearts. These are not just mundane occurrences but constant reminders of God's creative power. The book challenges us to shift our perspective, to see the extraordinary within the ordinary.

• The Earth's rotation at 1,000 mph and its journey through space at 67,000 mph are constant miracles we take for granted.
• Our bodies recycle 330 billion cells daily, a complex process we rarely acknowledge.
• The sun converts four million tons of matter into energy every second, a mind-boggling feat.

Awe and gratitude. By recognizing the miraculous in the mundane, we cultivate a sense of awe and gratitude. This shift in perspective transforms our daily lives from a routine to a wonderland. When we fail to appreciate these miracles, we risk becoming prideful and joyless. The book encourages us to turn our attention to the permanent things, not just the exceptions.

Creation clues. The uniqueness of our sweatprint, the complexity of our DNA, and the intricate design of a single cell are all "creation clues" left by the Creator. These details are not trivial but rather a trail of breadcrumbs leading us back to God. By paying attention to these clues, we deepen our understanding of the Creator and His creation.

2. Holy Curiosity: The Path to Wonder

“Never lose a holy curiosity.”

Curiosity as a spiritual practice. The book emphasizes the importance of cultivating a "holy curiosity" about the Creator and His creation. This curiosity is not just intellectual but also spiritual, leading us to a deeper understanding of God. It's about asking "what's really happening when what's happening is happening?"

Einstein's challenge. Inspired by Albert Einstein's words, the book challenges us to never stop questioning and to contemplate the mysteries of eternity, life, and the marvelous structure of reality. This curiosity is a lifelong journey, not a destination.

• Every cell in the human body is 99.99% empty space.
• There are 37 sextillion biochemical reactions happening in our bodies every second.
• Our DNA, if stretched end to end, would reach the moon and back nearly 150,000 times.

Beyond the surface. Holy curiosity encourages us to look beyond the surface of things, to explore the microscopic and macroscopic miracles that are often overlooked. It's about seeing the world with new eyes, recognizing that nothing is as simple as it seems. This perspective transforms the mundane into the miraculous.

3. God's Playfulness: Embracing Joy and Delight

“No greater honor than to be God’s playfellows in that game.”

God's playful nature. The book reveals a playful side of God, who created us with the capacity to laugh and enjoy life. This is the God who formed Leviathan to frolic and who delights in our enjoyment. It's a reminder that faith is not just about solemnity but also about joy and delight.

• The psalmist says that God formed Leviathan to frolic.
• Jesus said that we can't enter the kingdom of heaven unless we become like little children.
• Play is part of our divine design.

The sacredness of play. Playing is not a distraction from spiritual life but an integral part of it. It energizes us, enlivens us, and renews our sense of optimism. The book encourages us to embrace playfulness in our daily lives, whether it's through games, music, or art. It's a way of connecting with the Creator and His creation.

Joy as a spiritual discipline. Joy is not just a feeling but a spiritual discipline. It's a divine decree that we ignore at our peril. By enjoying the world God has made, we show that we have grasped the goodness of the God we say we love. This is a call to live life to the fullest, with a sense of wonder and gratitude.

4. Beyond Flatland: Expanding Our View of God

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways,” declares the Lord.

God's transcendence. The book uses the analogy of Flatland to illustrate how our limited perspectives can hinder our understanding of God. Just as Flatlanders cannot comprehend a third dimension, we often struggle to grasp the vastness and complexity of God. We must deconstruct our man-made boxes and reimagine God.

• God doesn't exist within the four dimensions of spacetime He created.
• There is no past, present, or future for Him.
• God is here, there, and everywhere—the Eternal Here.

A high view of God. A low view of God leads to a narrow framing of His power, love, and grace. A high view of God, on the other hand, puts things in proper perspective. It changes not just what we believe but who we are. The book encourages us to expand our understanding of God's power, love, and grace.

Faith and freedom. Faith is not just about believing in God but also about experiencing a new dimension of freedom. Just as each additional dimension adds a degree of freedom, faith in God allows us to move in new ways that defy our limitations. It's about living a life that is not bound by the constraints of our four-dimensional world.

5. Microscopic Miracles: God in the Details

“Each of us has our own distinctive microbiome, sculpted by the genes we’ve inherited, the places we’ve lived in, the drugs we’ve taken, the food we’ve eaten, the years we’ve lived, the hands we’ve shaken.”

Inner space. The book shifts our focus from the macroscopic to the microscopic, revealing the incredible complexity and beauty of the human body. Our bodies are ecosystems containing 37 trillion cells, each made up of 100 trillion atoms. This inner space is as marvelous as outer space.

• The human body contains 200 varieties of cells, each with a unique function.
• Our microbiome is a complex ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
• The human genome is a four-letter code that is three billion letters long.

The language of God. The human genome is described as "the language of God," a testament to the intricate design of our bodies. The book encourages us to appreciate the microscopic miracles that are happening within us every second. It's a call to recognize the divine craftsmanship in every cell.

Nuanced gratitude. The book challenges us to move beyond generic gratitude to a more nuanced appreciation for the details of life. It's about thanking God for hemoglobin, dopamine, the seventh cranial nerve, and the 118 elements that compose the periodic table. This kind of gratitude leads to a deeper and more meaningful joy.

6. The Power of Presence: God Most Nigh

“Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”

God's immanence. While God is transcendent, He is also immanent, present in every moment and every place. The book reminds us that God is not just far away but also closer than close. He knows the number of hairs on our heads, our names are tattooed on the palms of His hands, and He collects our tears in a bottle.

• God is not just above but also beneath, outside, and inside.
• He is the Eternal Now, the Eternal Here.
• He is an ever-present help in time of need.

Beyond the senses. Many miracles exist outside our sensory range, but that doesn't make them any less real. The book encourages us to develop our spiritual senses, to see the invisible and hear the inaudible. It's about recognizing God's presence in the mundane and the miraculous.

The power of touch. The book highlights the power of touch as a conduit of healing and connection. It's a reminder that even a simple hug can have a profound impact on our physical and emotional well-being. It's a call to be present with others, to offer comfort and support through physical touch.

7. The Goodness of God: A Foundation for Faith

“God is in a good mood.”

God's inherent goodness. The book emphasizes that God is not just powerful and transcendent but also inherently good. This goodness is not just an attribute but the very essence of His being. It's a reminder that God is not a cosmic killjoy but a source of joy and delight.

• God's original reaction to His creation was "it was good."
• God created sea creatures for the express purpose of play.
• God rejoices over us with singing.

The problem of suffering. The book acknowledges the problem of suffering but reframes it as an opportunity to experience God's goodness in a deeper way. It's a reminder that even in the midst of pain and suffering, God's love and grace are always present. It's about finding meaning in the midst of chaos.

The gospel as good news. The gospel is not just a message of salvation but also a declaration of God's goodness. It's a reminder that God is not just a judge but also a loving Father who desires our well-being. It's a call to live a life that is rooted in the goodness of God.

8. The Art of Praise: A Response to Wonder

“Praise almost seems to be inner health made audible.”

Praise as a spiritual practice. The book emphasizes the importance of praise as a response to wonder. It's not just about thanking God for what He has done but also about acknowledging His inherent goodness. It's a way of connecting with the Creator and His creation.

• Praise is a way of harmonizing with heaven.
• It's a way of expressing our gratitude for God's many gifts.
• It's a way of experiencing joy and peace.

Beyond words. Praise is not just about words but also about actions. It's about living a life that is pleasing to God, a life that is characterized by love, joy, and gratitude. It's about using our gifts and talents to glorify God.

The power of music. Music is a powerful tool for worship, capable of lifting our spirits, focusing our minds, and altering our moods. The book encourages us to use music as a way of connecting with God and expressing our love for Him. It's a reminder that music is a gift from God.

9. Life's Symphony: Finding Meaning in Every Note

“Learn more, see more.”

Life as a symphony. The book uses the metaphor of a symphony to describe the complexity and beauty of life. Each note, each instrument, each experience contributes to the overall harmony. It's a reminder that even the seemingly insignificant details of our lives have meaning and purpose.

• Every ology is a branch of theology.
• Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow.
• Every moment is a chance to connect with God.

The importance of perspective. Our perceptions are shaped by what we know and what we believe. The book encourages us to learn more, see more, and experience more. It's about expanding our understanding of the world and our place in it.

The power of story. Our lives are stories, and we are the narrators. The book encourages us to tell our stories in a way that reflects the goodness of God. It's about finding meaning in our experiences and sharing that meaning with others.

10. Nostalgia for God: A Journey Back Home

“You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

The homing instinct. Just as animals have a homing instinct, we have a deep longing to return to our Creator. This longing is a reminder that this world is not our true home. It's a call to seek God and to find our rest in Him.

• Our deepest longing is to find our way back to Eden.
• This longing is a reminder that we were made for another world.
• It's a call to seek the Source of all joy.

The pursuit of God. We may think we are seeking God, but God is the one seeking us. He pursues us with an unhurrying chase and an unperturbed pace. The book encourages us to respond to God's pursuit by seeking Him with all our hearts.

The promise of heaven. Heaven is not just a place but a Person. It's a place where we will finally see God face to face and experience the fullness of His love and grace. It's a reminder that our journey is not just about this life but also about the life to come.

Last updated: January 19, 2025