There are no coincidences. . .

Often we hear a person say, “Wow, is that a coincidence!” I say it too, actually, but now I mean some thing quite different from what I used to mean. I have quit believing in “coincidences,” in the traditional sense.  When I first heard others in 12 step rooms say that there are no coincidences, only God’s anonymous interventions, I passed it off as nonsense.  I was sure I had had many coincidences in my life.

Now I know that my Higher Power, whom I choose to call God, has intervened on many occasions, creating coincidences that were life-sustaining,  or I’d not be writing these words right now.  And as certain as I am of that fact, I’m also certain that the same will remain true in my future.  God will not quit intervening.  That I’m alive right now makes that a certainty.  And because I am human, thus prone to making mistakes, some times ones too big to be sorted out or resolved by me, allows God to “show up” and serve as the mediator, the keeper of the “coincidental” resolution.

I like knowing that God is the one who creates the so-called coincidences that make our lives flow, some times smoothly but always in interesting ways.  I like knowing that we aren’t navigating these uncharted waters alone.  But that doesn’t mean I can afford to be fool-hardy in my choices, believing that God will simply extract me, at the last minute, from the fate a bad choice has led me toward.  He is counting on me to be thoughtful, wise, conscious regarding my efforts and then willing to “let go” when what I may be trying to force isn’t happening as I envisioned.

I think it’s helpful to think of ourselves as “co-creators” of the coincidences in our lives.  What I mean is that God will intervene but we have to open the door he’s nudging against and then be willing to change directions if that’s what calls out to us.  It’s a partnership.  Sometimes it will feel like God is the silent partner but if we get really quiet, we will hear the voice that calls to us.

The vision I have been using of late is that God is like my GPS.  I have to let it (Him) know where I want to go, and then trust the words that speak to me.  And just as with the actual GPS, if I choose to ignore a turn, it will recalculate.  God does the same.  He doesn’t give in or up just because I think I have a better plan.  He will try again.  Thank goodness.

Are you currently aware of how often God has “gifted” you with a coincidence?