Random Chance and Circumstance?

As we go through our day, it is amazing to think of the numbers of scenarios that could occur. The places we go, the people we meet. Since we have the freedom to choose each and every day what we are going to do, the number of possibilities are endless. But is everything a matter of chance, or does God have His hand in it?

Image courtesy of: John Piekos

Scripture:
“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.” – Mark 10:46

Observation/Application:
As Jesus walked was traveling he came across many people healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, helping the deaf to hear and the mute to speak. But there were, and are, many people who were sick, ill, and lame in the world. So having Jesus come across our path one day and healing you might seem like total luck, and like hitting the lottery. But is it luck or is there something more to it?

The word “coincidence” is translated from the Greek word “synkyrian” which is a combination of two words: sun and kurios. Sun means “together with,” and kurious means “supreme in authority.” So a biblical definition of coincidence would be “what occurs together by God’s providential arrangement of circumstances.”

 — * So what appears to be random chance to us is in fact overseen by a sovereign God who knows the number of hairs on every head (Luke 12:7). Jesus said that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father’s notice (Matthew 10:29). In Isaiah 46:9–11, God states unequivocally that He is in charge of everything: “I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” – (reference: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-coincidence.html)

 — * Citing coincidence is how we humans explain unexpected events and surprise meetings. But just because we are taken by surprise does not mean that God is. Scripture is clear that God allows sinful humans to make mistakes and reap the consequences of those mistakes, but only a sovereign God could also promise that He will make “all things work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). In ways known only to God, He takes even our mistakes and unplanned events and weaves them together to fulfill His purposes. – ** (reference: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-coincidence.html)

As we walk through life, who does God bring across our path? Who can God placed in our lives for a divine purpose? And following the example of Jesus who modeled servant leadership, who has God put in our lives to serve?  Our significant other, our spouse, or children, our parents, our neighbors, our co-workers, the stranger we run into at the store, the checkout person, our waiter or waitress – all of these are people who God brings across our path each and every day.

When we come across these people, do we consider each moment divine, not a moment of random chance and circumstance? Or do we cherish every moment and reflect on the reason why God might have brought us together? We may not bring sight to the blind or help the lame to walk on a daily basis like Jesus did. But as we walk through our day, could it be worth considering that every encounter might be a divine moment, meant for a specific purpose?  Have we considered the fact that God might have his hand in it, and the potential impact of that encounter that we might never see?

As we begin our day, let us cherish every moment and every encounter, confident that every person who comes across our path was not random circumstance. And let us walk through life serving God knowing that He is always with us, and for us, as we seek to honor Him. May your day be blessed.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. Help us to walk through today cherishing each moment, and seeking your face in all that we see, and all that we say, and all that we do. Guide our every thought Lord, and our every word, and our every action. Help us to see how your hand is at work Lord. Give us wisdom and understanding that we can make the right choices Lord, according to your Will. We believe you Lord. Help our unbelief and build up our faith continually Lord. Help us to know that you are always with us Lord. Fill us with your goodness and mercy. We give you all the honor and glory and praise, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Image courtesy of: wcstaney

Photo By John Piekos

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