I sure could use a COINCIDENCE
Was it a Coincidence or a Miracle?
Albert Einstein was quoted as saying a 'COINCIDENCE' is a miracle where God chose to stay anonymous.
In that case.. my life needs a.. COINCIDENCE!
This statement does not discount the need for me to work hard, make good choices, and be responsible.. But in this rush-hour world, with lost jobs, partisan politics, envy, greed, stress, foreclosures, sickness, and death... I need the sometimes subtle and/or big touch of God in my life. I need a coincidence!
Note: For the remainder of this blog, when I say coincidence .. I am referring to miracles.
The Bible is full of 'coincidences ' and there is no evidence that our Creator has got out of the coincidence business.
When talking about the 'coincidences' of the Bible, I must share that I sometimes watch the National Geographic Channel (aka NatGeo) on TV.
NatGeo is a fantastic channel that covers a wide range of topics regarding the vast world we live in, and the even bigger universe our world so neatly orbits.
From time to time, NatGeo devotes shows to great Bible stories to 'explain them' using science, history, archeology, and a dash of theology.
I have watched shows ranging from Noah's Ark & the flood, the Parting of the Red Sea, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the events of the end times as described in the book of Revelation.
Most of the time, National Geographic explains away these great moments from the Bible as folklore or acts of nature, to the point that they overlook the most critical factor: the 'coincidences' of God. This, I guess, is because 'true science' does not believe in coincidences.
This always makes me chuckle at the statement 'I believe in Science'.. leaving me with the question.. Which Science?
In all these amazing stories and more, science insists 'coincidences' can be explained logically by the rules and laws of science, BUT.. illogically, science does not account for the author of these rules.
Our God is the creator and the author of all the rules science is based on. AND.. as author of all rules, God transcends the constraints of time and space and can bend any and all rules at His discretion.
When this happens, 'viola' , we have a 'coincidence'.
In my life, I do not recall God working so boldly as to part a Red Sea for me or even part a little rush hour traffic. BUT .. I believe God answers my prayers in big and small ways that I will never realize on this side of Heaven.
Now the question is… Are these moments coincidences, or ‘coincidences ‘?
The fact is, my life has been full of coincidences. I have a wonderful wife, family, and friends. I have been protected from bad choices, difficult circumstances, and a vice or two in a way that I believe was a coincidence.
My prayer today is for God to bless your lives with the loving touch of His coincidences as needed. May He provide, and protect, and use your lives in ways that are ‘COINCIDENCES’ BEYOND YOUR DREAMS.
Jeff (not coincidentally in the Back Pew) Larson
Ok, you can now return to using the correct description of a miracle to replace what man foolishly labels a coincidence.
