Have you ever been thinking about someone and then the very next day you bump into them or someone mentions them in conversation? It’s so weird when that happens and many times we will say, “What a coincidence!” But I think there are a lot fewer coincidences than we may imagine. I could easily be accused of over-spiritualizing things but I really truly believe that those coincidences are God speaking.
Sometimes when I tell someone of how God “spoke” to me on a particular subject their response will be, “I wish he would speak to me like that.” It would be fun to think that I am special (well, I am - but so are you!!) and the truth is God speaks to every one of us. Many times it is a matter of tuning in.
Did you ever notice that when you get a new car all of the sudden you see that make and model and even color car everywhere. I never ever noticed white Grand Ams on the road until I got one.
Once you condition yourself to recognize the coincidences in your life as the voice of God you will hear Him more and more.
I'll tell you why this is on my mind. I've had a few too many "coincidences" lately to write them off. In January FTGI is rolling out a mentorship program called SHINE. We will have ShineGIRL for young girls and ShineWomen for adults. Anyway, everytime we start a new venture or program I am always praying to make sure that we are on the right road. So the other day I was standing on line at the pharmacy at Publix and there was a little pamphlet (I don’t even know what it was for) and it said right across the top in bold letters --- SHINE! It made me smile to myself. Someone else might think I was reaching, but I took it as a little nod from heaven.Then a few days later I was on a plane flipping through a magazine and there was a full page ad for Heidi Klum’s new fragrance ---SHINE!
Last Wednesday my brother and I went to see a Broadway play while I was in New York. When we entered the theater I looked over at the merchandise and there was a shirt with big letters in glitter ---SHINE! The second song of the play was SHINE and pretty much the overall message was that “You can shine!”
Coincidence, I don’t think so.
Here’s the thing. Psalm 139 says (and I’m paraphrasing here) that He knows when we sleep and when we rise, He knows our thoughts, He knows our comings in and our goings out, we cannot get away from His prescence…no matter where we go, what we do, who we hang out with…He is right there.
And if we believe that He directs our steps then why is it hard to believe that He would plant things along our path to communicate with us? If you get the chance today read Psalm 139 and realize how completely tuned into you He is! It's like putting a warm cozy blanket of His love around you to wear as you go about your day. (I guess it would be awkward to wear a blanket all day...unless you are just hanging out on the couch all day...which sounds like fun..but you get what I'm saying...)
Look for His subtle messages! I would love to hear about “coincidences” that you have had! Post a comment!
Have a great day and stay sane during this busy holiday season...on my way out to brave the mall! Pray for me ;)
My daughter had done a school project for a local Homeless Shelter and I "sat" on the idea of "doing" a coat drive. Then, that same week, Sunday morning, Pastor speaks about finding Joy and how Joy can come from "doing". OK, OK, I got the message. That week, I initiated the coat drive and have had an outpouring of coats. :-) THEN, I was prodded to share this with our church and again, "sat" on it. Today I had the privilege of having lunch with our Pastor and shared a video of the shelter my daughter had made and he looked at me and said, "why haven't you told us about this?" I LOVE LOVE LOVE these subtle ways of God showing up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a comfort to know he's right here with me! I find myself doubting what I'm being asked to do and God gently comes along and says, "It's OK. I'm right here with you. Step out."
Thanks for sharing Tracey.
Very cool Trace!!
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