Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Coincidence?

Over the last few years I've seen fewer and fewer things as coincidences and started to see them as blessings or experiences that God placed in my lives to help me be happy, learn, and grow. There's a scripture that talks about this too, that says: "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." So if his hand is in all things, there are no coincidences, right?

As I was making lunch today I had a thought that changed my perspective. As I opened the drawer next to our stove, I was reminded of the day that my roommate and I both bought oven mitts at the same time to replace the one which burned on our stove top a few weeks before. "What I coincidence that was," I thought. My mind then went to it's usual "but there are no coincidences" way of thinking. However, this time that thinking seemed strange. I realized that there probably are coincidences, and that God may not have a hand in every housewares purchase our apartment makes. So, if I accept that there are coincidences, where do you draw the line?

What do y'all think about this? Should one just assume that God's hand is in everything, so as to be grateful for those things that are? I have a lot of questions about this topic, but am having a hard time expressing them. Thoughts? Feedback?
Posted by Matt Chandler at 6:55 PM
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5 comments:

  1. As a note, I've had this no coincidences perspective for a while without believing in "fate" or predestination, as we always get to choose how respond to life events.
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  2. co·in·ci·dence:
    1. The state or fact of occupying the same relative position or area in space.
    2. A sequence of events that although accidental seems to have been planned or arranged.

    I think that there are coincidences, in that things happen at the same time. Also in the sense that WE do things by accident. But I think that whether God puts forth His hand to make something happen or holds it back to allow something to happen, His hand is involved in what happens, so we can be grateful to Him regardless. That may not make any sense at all, but there you go =).
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  3. I have spent a lot of time thinking about this myself. And I am always reminded of a quote from Elder Bednar that says "there are no coincidences to the Lord." To me...it is comforting to think such is the case. It reminds me how well Heavenly Father knows me and is aware of me. At least..that is the way that I like to look at it. Whenever an event happens that could be labeled a "coincidence"...instead I always find myself thinking right away..."tender mercy."

    And as far as "drawing the line"...I dont know. I have a hard time thinking that certain things in my life, especially the small things don't matter to the Lord. I had a friend share with me once scriptures from the Doctrine and Covenants illustrating that with some things "it mattereth not to the Lord." However I DO KNOW that if it matterth to me, then it mattereth to the Lord.

    Anyways...I hope that some of my thoughts made sense...and were relevent. It all makes sense in my head...but I have a hard time articulating that sometimes. :]
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  4. As we've all questioned whether our comments makes sense, this seems like something we have all thought about, but have a hard time expressing. Thanks for your feedback, those are good insights and I agree with what both of you said.
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  5. Just a postulation:

    I wonder if we call it a "coincidence" if we can't make a logical mental explanation for it.

    When we can intellectually make the connection that God had a hand in it, we can call it a blessing.

    Kind of the same way people call what they can't explain "a miracle."

    Thanks for the thought-provoking post. I'm adding "coincidence" to terms I'm going to avoid using, along with "luck." I've got to stop trying to explain stuff w/ my limited knowledge and view of life.
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