“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis compares miracles to “small letters” that retell the larger, grander story of God’s work in the world. The “big story” refers to the universal reality of God’s presence and action in the world, which may be too vast or too subtle for many people to perceive or comprehend. Miracles, on the other hand, are seen as specific events or occurrences where this larger story is made more visible, revealing God’s power, love, and purpose in a way that can be more directly experienced by individuals. Lewis suggests that the miracle is like a personal illustration of the overarching narrative of divine interaction with the world, providing glimpses of something far greater, but in a form that is more accessible or understandable for humans. Miracles, then, are not random or isolated events, but part of a much larger divine plan that humans may not always fully grasp, but which is present in every aspect of creation.
Historically, Lewis often explored the idea that miracles are a way for God to make His presence and purpose felt in the world. In works like Miracles, he argued that miracles are not violations of natural law but affirmations of a deeper reality that transcends human understanding. By presenting miracles as a retelling in “small letters,” Lewis emphasizes that these events are not isolated from the rest of reality but are part of the same divine narrative that is constantly unfolding in creation. The miracle is a focused instance of the divine breaking into the ordinary world, pointing to a much larger truth that may not be immediately visible to the human eye.
In the modern context, this quote invites a reflection on the nature of divine action in the world. In a time when many people are skeptical about the supernatural, Lewis’s words encourage us to look at miracles not just as rare or inexplicable events, but as windows into a deeper reality that is always present. Whether through spiritual experiences, acts of kindness, or even scientific discoveries, the world is full of smaller miracles that reflect the larger story of divine presence and purpose. Lewis’s perspective challenges us to see beyond the immediate, material world and to recognize the ongoing work of God in our lives, in history, and in creation itself.
