Mere coincidence?
Our prophecy team is currently listening to God for all the teams in our church. For this, we draw one team at a time from names written on little pieces of paper. We then give our impressions to that team. Last week we received some joyful feedback, “I wanted to ask you if you could listen to God for me – and found that your impressions were already in my inbox. Thank you so much!”
Coincidence?
Last fall I was under the impression that I should create a piece of art; the verse for it was John 15:5. At the beginning of the year 2021, I displayed it in our church – and the sermon that day was the annual verse for the church that had been drawn just before: John 15:5.
Coincidence?
Last Sunday we had a sermon about a bible verse and completely unrelated to that, someone else from the congregation had given a talk about the same verse the day before.
Coincidence?
These are a few stories that come to mind off the top of my head. This happens again and again. I think it would be interesting to find out what other people are experiencing. Do you have stories like that?
I am convinced that these are not just “coincidences”, but that situations “happen” to us because God directs them that way!
If I suddenly feel an urge to call my friend and follow this idea – and this friend urgently needs my encouragement at that moment, then it is not a coincidence, but God who gives an impulse. And sometimes he uses people to act on it. He can do it without us, but he loves our cooperation!
The Bible says about it:
Within your heart you can make plans for your future, but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there. Proverbs 16:9
Then I could say: So, then it doesn’t matter at all if I think and make plans! I won’t do anything anymore! It is not meant that way, otherwise God wouldn’t have given us a brain, imagination and talents! He wants us to use and live out what he has placed in us. God wants to have a relationship with us and spurs us on. I believe we are to cooperate with God, then it will work out well!
Entrust your efforts to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3
God wants me to come to him with my ideas. If I ask him what he thinks of a decision or of an idea, he will surely answer me. Whether it is simply by peace of mind about a decision, or maybe a new and better possibility comes along, or a friend passes on an insight about it. God has many ways to help us along with our questions.
God wants me to come to him with my ideas. If I ask him what he thinks of a decision or of an idea, he will surely answer me. Whether it is simply by peace of mind about a decision, or maybe a new and better possibility comes along, or a friend passes on an insight about it. God has many ways to help us along with our questions.
God loves you and helps you in your everyday life if you let him. Trust that he sees you and that he is for you! God wants you to have a relationship with him and to be active in your surroundings with your strengths and talents. He delights when you listen to him and do what he whispers to you. And the good news about this is: It’s also a matter of practice! Give it a try!
He will encourage you with situations that “happen” to you:
When you realize, whoops, that went really well!
When a tedious detour leads directly to the destination.
When you realize you could make someone happy and that wasn’t planned at all! When you realize you need help and unexpectedly meet a person who offers you that help.
A relationship with God and trust in His work help you experience situations like this and also to recognize them, because you yourself react to these gentle “nudges”. Do what you can, stay close to God and then trust God for the rest!
