Coincidences are not coincidences

I have noticed that I attract people whom society may consider “outside the norm”. Complete strangers often feel comfortable opening up to me or asking me for help. If I am standing in a group of 20 people, it seems that I am the one person who gets approached by strangers. These strangers approach me for different reasons; sometimes they need directions, sometimes they just want to strike up a conversation about nothing in particular, or sometimes they need financial or physical help. In the past I have attributed this to me having a friendly face, or maybe just to coincidence.

Here’s the truth, most times I am happy for the chance to help or love on someone, but sometimes it feels like more of an inconvenience that I seem approachable to strangers. It happens on days when I am rushed, when I am feeling extra introverted, or days when I feel spiritually tired or numb. It can be exhausting to always stop to help. On one occasion I remember complaining to myself, thinking ‘WHYYY do I keep running into these people?! Can’t I just have one day of peace?!’  And wouldn’t you know it, I wasn’t talking to God, but he sure did take the opportunity to answer.

The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart in that ungrateful moment that it is no coincidence that these people find me. It was as if God said ‘Who else should they find? You are my daughter…they see my light in you, and are searching for ME. Lead them.’

The Bible references that God’s light is in us as believers numerous times. A light that is meant to be used as a guide, not just to be something seen from afar. As humans we need to use light in order to see what we are doing. When the light is on, there is a purpose for it. When the light is off, it is because we are resigning from doing.

Consider these verses:

 

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16 NIV

“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21,26

Coincidences are not coincidences for a son or daughter of the almighty God because, as Luke 3:16 explains, we have been baptized or immersed in the Holy Spirit and fire. Fire was used for light before the invention of electricity. In Exodus 13 God gave the Jews a pillar of fire by night to light their way and guide them in the right direction through the darkness. In the new testament, Jesus is made into flesh to be an example, a guiding light for mankind to the Father. And as Christians who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, we have the living God, the light of Jesus Christ inside of us, so that we can also be a guiding light for others.

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He was able to send us His Holy Spirit. We are one with Jesus, just as Jesus was one with the Father, because we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us.  And Jesus prayed that we would continue to help others make the Father known, just as He himself did. Just as He himself did. He has commissioned us into the very thing He lives to do. We get to work with the Holy Spirit. We get to partner with God!

From now on, when someone who seems like they may be in need comes across my path, I am going to take it as a divine assignment to continue to make the Father known, just as Jesus did. I know that of course I will miss some because I am not perfect, but imagine how the world would be changed, hearts would be won, lives would be saved if we all made a focused effort to live as a child of light. To live for God’s will, all the time, not just when it is convenient or comfortable.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light   Ephesians 5:8 NIV

Let’s get practical for a moment:

I want to live as a child of light. Full time. I want to live for God’s will, because what other will is worth it? So what does this mean to me in my everyday life? If I avoid doing His work because I am running late, or because I don’t want to be bothered, or because I am annoyed that he gives me more than one task a day, then I need to reevaluate my priorities and change something.

Let’s be real, we have all been there (Christian or not), the moment when you see the opportunity to love on or help someone ahead of time, but you are struggling in an internal dialogue with yourself over whether or not you should stop what you are doing and engage. What should I say? Will I be able to relate to them? Will the person be offended if I offer prayer? Do they want me to talk to them, or just my money? Are they actually in need, or just conning us all? Should I start a conversation or just smile and say God bless you? What if they ask me a question I don’t know the answer to? Will the people passing by think that I am self righteous? What if they start talking and they just don’t stop… what’s my exit strategy? … Whew, are you exhausted reading that? I can tell you it is even more exhausting experiencing this stressful string of thoughts (but then again, maybe you already know that). There have been a couple times where I have spent so much time deciding whether or not to talk to/help someone, that I have completely missed them and had to backtrack.

What can we do to approach opportunities to be a witness for Jesus with joy and thanksgiving instead of stress, annoyance, and avoidance? How can we see a coincidence as something more than a coincidence?

1. We could immediately address the ‘running late’ problem by intentionally adding buffer time to our work commute, or our trip to the grocery store, or on our way to meet friends. I am not talking a 5 minute buffer that will most likely be eaten up by train drama or traffic, but an amount of time that will allow a meaningful interaction with someone.For me, that buffer is about 15 minutes. I want to be able to leave room for multiple interactions, to actually listen to what the person has to say, and then offer a short related testimony, prayer, or invitation to church without it seeming like a sales pitch. People can sense a sales pitch. Most people can also sense genuine interest vs. obligation.
2. We can begin by making sure that we are starting each day with a ‘team meeting’. You, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In this meeting (or prayer time) we are having a conversation. And what an honor it is to get to speak to the Founder & CEO, the brand ambassador, and the manager every day! We are recognizing the father as the Boss, and we are clocking in…reporting for duty… ready to bring our A-game for the day’s goal. Be proactive, ask the Lord to help us see the opportunities that He is going to present us with. He will do it whether we ask or not, whether we recognize it or not. You may have read the ‘about’ page on this website and seen the prayer I posted at the end:

God your will not mine, your love not mine, your eyes not mine, your words not mine, your strength not mine.

I pray this often. I pray it to remind me first, that my will and my ability are not what will bring people’s hearts to Jesus. Only Jesus saves. And second, I pray this prayer so that the Lord can re-posture my heart and equip me for the day’s assignments.

I hope this has given you some new insight into your daily walk as it relates to taking advantage of each interaction with those in need. If you are not ready to leave yet, keep reading, and of course subscribe!

Love,
Amber

Additional scripture:

And because I know you just can’t get enough, here are some other verses that may encourage you when engaging with others for Jesus.

for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Luke 12:12 NIV

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NIV

But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17 NIV

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13 NIV

“I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.” John 17:11 NIV

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. John 17:16 NIV

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. Ephesians 5:13 NIV

He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. – John 1:8 NIV

Food for thought (or conversation):

What divine assignments this week could you have written off as coincidence? How would you do it differently next time?

What other verses have helped encourage or motivate you when witnessing to or helping strangers?