Do You Believe in Coincidence?

    Coincidence is where two or more things or life events coincide at the same time.  It seems like it is an accident.  Some people call it fate, karma, or clandestine because it ties people's lives together.  Life is not an accident and God does not leave things up to chance.  He does bring people together.  He knows each person better than they know themselves, so He knows what choices we will make.  We have free will, but we are very predictable for Him.  That is why He arranges things so that circumstances may appear to be coincidence.

    When Joseph was in prison, he ran things but it still was not comfortable.  He had it easier than most, but it still was not freedom.  He trusted God to take care of things.  One day, the Pharaoh's cup bearer and baker were thrown into prison and Joseph was over them.  It seemed like coincidence, but God had a plan.  Each of the gentlemen had a dream and Joseph interpreted for them.  The dreams revealed who would die and who would live.    

    The cup bearer would be released in three days.  Joseph asked the cup bearer to remember him when he got out, to help him get out.  The baker was hanged in three days.  When it all went down the cup bearer and he was free he forgot all about Joseph.  Maybe it was because of the excitement of not being killed and going back to a good job.  Maybe he did not want to be attached to anything from that horrible time.  I find it hard to believe that you forget all about a person's existence so quickly.  No matter the reason, Joseph was left in prison.

    Events happen in life.  Some people will surprise you for the good and the worse.  Unexpected people will be there for you when the people you thought you could count on disappoint you.  It is life, not coincidence.  We have to have faith that God has a purpose, even when we may never see it come to pass.  He does so much in the background and hidden aspects of life that it is impossible to comprehend all He is doing.  It may feel like it is moving slowly, but that is why we have to be preparing.  When it all comes to pass it usually happens very quickly and we need to be ready.

Genesis 40