The Miracle Bean
| Every good endowment
and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights
with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17, RSV. |
Webster defines a
miracle as “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human
affairs.” Usually we think of miracles as events that are beyond our limited
human understanding of the natural world. They inspire awe and bring us
to our knees in the humbling presence of God’s power and mercy, such as
during a spontaneous healing of a life-threatening disease.
But most of us recognize
that even some easily explained, everyday occurrences so reflect God’s
goodness and magnificence that they contain a touch of the miraculous.
No matter that science explains their occurrence. They still take our breath
away and fill us with awe just the same, whether it be the cry of a newborn
baby or a perfect rainbow.
But some miracles seem to
escape our notice because we don’t look hard enough or we forget that God’s
gifts to us are not always earth-shattering.
Nutritionists who study plant-based
diets have found such a “miracle.” Soybeans are rich in the highest quality
protein. Inexpensive and easy to grow, they produce 20 times more protein
an acre than an acre devoted to raising beef. So versatile is the soybean
that in one form or another it appears in nearly every kind of dish imaginable.
Packaged in this little bean is a host of natural substances that have
impressive health protective effects, earning soy the nickname “miracle
bean.” Scientists have found in soybeans substances called isoflavones,
which appear in no other commonly consumed food. Isoflavones have been
linked to a reduced risk for cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
A miracle? Webster might
not agree that soybeans meet the strictest definition of that word. But
God’s people know that the true miracle is His never-ending desire to bless
us with gifts for our welfare and happiness. Each of these gifts is a miraculous
sign of His great love for us. They come in big and small packages, and
often escape our notice. But our lives are enriched when we recognize and
are grateful for each gift—whether it be healing, a baby, a rainbow, or
a little brown bean.
| Lord, teach me to see the many gifts
with which You bless my life, and to be always thankful for all the good
things You provide. |
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