Northern Lights and the problem of miracles

Miracles occur throughout the Torah, particularly during yetziat Mitzrayim/ the Exodus. They assume many shapes and sizes but are basically about the fact that God is in control of the world, above nature and has personal concern with the fate of human beings and the Jewish people. 

One of the first qualifications used when discussing miracles today is that 'These things happened a long time ago but not anymore' for reason x or y. So if you want to you can put them in the 'don't have to think about it as not really relevant' draw and discuss it as an abstract topic if it arises. 

But are they of any importance today? One of the main purposes of the miracle was that it inspired awe of the greatness of God. The problem is that miracles don't sound particularly impressive any more and would be very unlikely to inspire awe. In fact, I doubt they would stir any significant religious feeling whatsoever. Sea split? Cool. Great trick. Google it for an explanation. No explanation? Dno, back to youtube. Others might point out that it is not a compelling argument to suggest that because I can't think of a reason for it now something which can explain it won't come along in a few years, after all gravity, medicine etc... 

Miracles, it seems clear from reading the pesukim, are supposed to draw people closer to God, to know Him. But a huge gap would exist today between the stimulus and our response, as lots of incredible, apparently inexplicable things happen all the time with perfectly reasonable explanations. Illusionists such as Derren Brown spend much of their time debunking the miraculous credentials of charismatic religious preachers. 

A few weeks ago we went to visit the northern lights. Now that really was incredible, watching these mysterious rays of light dancing across a midnight sky. Of course, there are simple scientific explanations for them but they don't capture that feeling being gently mesmerised and yes, even awe.

It reminded me of something. Religion is often given the function of being a primitive means of explaining phenomena that we don't understand. This viewpoint has been absorbed into the western mindset and is similarly sometimes felt within religious communities. Miracles are seen as possessing a function -  proof of that which lies beyond nature. If that reasoning is faulty, their purpose expires.

But it was that awe that I felt at the Northern lights which reminded me of the approach of the Rambam that the power of miracles is not found in their inability to be explained nor their ability to prove or demonstrate. Things that are disconnected from our minds can't penetrate deeply into our lives and can't really help us in our relationship with God.

The power of the miracle is found in the nature of awe itself. It's not something that you experience everyday. When you encounter awe you briefly feel very small and very important simultaneously. Tiny man, insignificant in the face of the vast universe and yet still capable of feats of greatness beyond our size. To me this lies at the heart of miracles; that they are supposed to stir feelings which combine these two perspectives on being a human being. Then, perhaps, we can attempt to approach God.

Often, I find, you need to approach religious matters from a different angle in order for them to remain relevant in your life which after all, is constantly changing.