Coincidences

I used to believe that there were just weird coincidences in life. Like when you would be thinking of someone all week that you hadn’t talked to in a while and then the randomly call one night. Or when you are sitting in a group praying and there is something on your heart you wanted to pray about and someone else mentions it. I used to just think…wow that’s funny I was just thinking that and dismiss it as nothing more than a mere coincidence.

My mother used to tell me there was no such thing as coincidences but rather it was God trying to tell us something. I don’t think I ever really believed her. Side note: I am positive that if I was to come back as a Bible character I would totally be doubting Thomas. I don’t know why I would doubt that God could use situations and people to remind us of Him. I guess I doubted he could be that good, that on top of his game, that he could not only create the heavens and the earth and hear everyone’s prayers at the same time but he could also love us so specifically and individually that he could speak to us on this level. I doubt a lot…but thankfully I seem to be learning something while I am here.

So on Thursday when we sat down to do our morning devotions at Dwelling Places and Maureen started to read from Esther 4 I was not surprised that it had been the same book and chapter I had just read earlier that morning in my own quiet time. I quickly realized God must be trying to tell me something so I sat and listened. The reason Maureen picked that passage is because Dwelling Places was recently accused of some stuff in the local media here. The accusations are 100% completely false but it puts a ton of stress on the staff, on Rita and on our ministry. It isn’t the first time this has happened, and it seems Satan likes to try to attack us in this way over and over. So Maureen was saying that in Esther chapter 4 Mordecai is trying to convince Queen Esther to approach the king on behalf of the Jews that Haman was trying to kill. Esther knew that to enter the courts without a meeting with the king could mean death. And then Mordecai answers her doubts and says “And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this?”

And I thought to myself how often do I try to run from trials in my life? No one enjoys suffering or going through a hard time and our natural instinct is to run away or try to hide. But here is a trial Esther is facing and Mordecai points out that she shouldn’t try to run from it but rather see it as a divine appointment from God that she is where she is, at this exact time, for a reason. And it makes me think that God chose the staff members at Dwelling Places and had them here for such a time as this. He chose those people he knew would stand up for the children on his behalf and not allow others to bring evil into this ministry. He chose people he knew that wouldn’t remain silent and would stand strong in faith.

Maureen also reminded us that in the Bible it tells us to pray for those who persecute us and for our enemies. I was so taken aback when she said this as I was sitting there steaming over the fact that these people would even have the guts to make such crazy accusations that were clearly not true. If it was up to me I would yell at them (because I am sure that would accomplish so much) but then here was this reminder that it’s not up to me and I am not the one in control of punishing what I see as injustice – that’s up to God. The battle is His and it has already been won. We now walk the earth to be the light that Jesus has placed in us to lead others to himself. So the devotion time ended with the entire staff praying for those who brought the accusations against us and praying for the truth to come to light.

God can use trials and persecution to refine his servants. And I am certain God can use each and every situation in our life for the good of those who love him. So we offer up our prayers to the God of the universe and we praise him for being our commander in this battle and for promising us that he has plans to prosper us and offer us a hope and a future.