When 'coincidence' isn't really.

In the Book of Esther, events 'just so happen' to unfold in a way that shows God's saving grace for His people.  Even though He isn't actually mentioned in the book His Divine Providence is all over it's pages.

As a society we love words like 'luck' or 'coincidence', when things appear to randomly happen that align perfectly with other events already transpiring.  Television and movies thrive on the comedy behind these situations.  I love it when a well thought out script has multiple events happening concurrently and then they all 'happen' to merge into one final showdown.   These fictional stories are the works of human authors, and a good show makes us forget it has been entirely scripted.  We tend to apply this to real life as well, we get mesmerized by the moment and in the midst of the complexity of 'coincidental situations' we forget about our Creator.

Christian's far too often speak about their belief in the Sovereignty of God while at the same time complaining about their luck or the randomness of life.  We verbally profess God's providential guidance and care over all situations while mentally asking God why He is not involved in our everyday life.

According to Merriam-Webster coincidence is 'the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection'.  Sovereignty is having 'controlling influence' over situations.

If we profess that God is absolutely sovereign then we must concede that 'coincidence'...isn't really.

God has controlling influence over His creation.  Through His Providence, He has has the power to sustain and guide events.  This doesn't mean the we are animatronic beings who are controlled by a God holding a play station controller steering our lives (there is some interplay of Divine Rule and human responsibility that exceeds my capacity for understanding).  BUT, when it comes to putting us where we are at, in the struggles we are in, and the 'coincidental' events that converge around our lives we must recognize that God is there too.

As we get ready to start the book of Esther this week, don't write off the 'lucky' sequence of events we read through as mere coincidence.  Through each chapter ask the question: Just because God wasn't directly mentioned, does that mean He wasn't directly in control?  And then, as we connect dots in the lives of Esther, Mordecai, and the Israelites...ask yourself the question:  Do I believe that God is Sovereign over my life even when I don't see Him in its everyday circumstances?