When I was excitedly recounting a “God moment” story to a deacon friend of mine, he shared this quote he coined that fits for today’s reflection.
Vocabulary.com defines coincidence as “an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental.”
Would you agree that oftentimes people view coincidences as just random happenings? I believe that when the Holy Spirit is involved in any event, it is also safe to say that it is not just coincidence, but that it becomes providential.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. –John 14:16-17 (NLT)
Jesus, knowing that soon He would be put to death, spoke these words of comfort and encouragement to His disciples so they knew they would never be left alone. What a beautiful passage showing the intertwining relationship between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—three in one. Jesus clearly says the world will not recognize the Holy Spirit’s presence, only those who believe, which includes you and me.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster. –Proverbs 16:3-4 (NIV)
Isn’t it comforting to know that when we commit all we do to the Lord, the Spirit takes over, leading and guiding us? He works everything out in His perfect way as we continue to walk in faith and trust. And the Spirit can make good out of our choices.
Photo courtesy of Baptist Union of Great Britain under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Do you often see the Holy Spirit arriving, disguised as coincidences that happen almost daily in your life? Nothing in our lives happens by chance or by accident. God is always working His plans out.
Recently, I saw the Holy Spirit arrive in my life, providing two beautiful encounters with people. The Holy Spirit used the simple act of dropping a piece of mail off inside the local post office rather than the outside mailbox to bump into a lady I haven’t seen in a few years. She had been helping take care of family members in a different state. We were both involved in a mutual ministry at church years ago. We had a delightful time of conversing and sharing spiritual conversations for about 30 minutes, which included recognizing how God orchestrated the little details in both of our lives to meet there.
The Holy Spirit brought a man who works at a different company in my building and me together again this week after a whole four months of not running into each other. I was excited when I turned a corner in one of the many hallways to see him at the opposite end. I have continued to pray for his ill son and them as they take such great care of their son at home. Despite the struggles, he continues to smile and tries to keep a positive attitude. It was wonderful to share our faith and try to encourage him with his difficult situation. I hope knowing that others care and are praying for them helps him hold on to his faith. He was so appreciative of a hug as we departed.
My faith is always strengthened when I see the Holy Spirit at work orchestrating these coincidences, which I consider “God moments” or “God winks.” They help me realize how the Spirit is in control, not me. It is so beautiful to see daily what sacred encounters the Spirit provides. It truly makes me amazed and in awe of our Creator and seldom surprised because we know He is always at work.
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” –Mark 10:24-27 (NIV)
Isn’t it great to see even the disciples, who spent so much time with Jesus, were also amazed at His teachings and the miracles that He performed? They, too, could not figure out how Jesus did these things, yet I believe they were never too surprised to see what He did next.
Be encouraged this week to…
…recognize the Holy Spirit in you.
…be amazed, not surprised, when you see the Spirit at work.
…reflect on examples of the Lord working things out for you personally.
…see the Holy Spirit disguised as coincidences in your life.
…share a story with someone of how the Holy Spirit showed up for you.
REFLECTION:
What Holy Spirit arrival did you last experience?
What have you recently put into the hands of the Lord to work out?
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. –Ephesians 1:11-12 (ESV)
