A believer would say that God uses coincidences as He works out His purposes through natural processes in both the physical and social universe. In this universe every effect can be traced back to a natural cause. Coincidence in our life is ordained by God and is intended for our good. God is always at work in the lives of his people.
An unbeliever may say that those natural causes would fully explain what happened without reference to God. In the world of cause and effect there is no hint of miracles, and no need to bring God up to explain what happens.
When we first moved to Florida from Illinois I was excited about the wisteria growing here and wanted some in the yard. Being unfamiliar with plants and the climate I asked my husband what he thought about planting wisteria in the yard.
He said that it didn’t have any fruit or really have any benefit so we shouldn’t bother. Although I remember thinking that the benefit is the beauty, but took what he said and decided not to plant it. Then one day, while I was sitting at my desk, looking out the window I saw a branch of wisteria growing through the fence from the neighbor’s yard? It had one long beautiful flower on it. I felt like that was just for me.
I remember another time; I was driving along feeling very depressed and working through a tough situation when I rounded a curve and suddenly felt myself driving straight toward the most magnificent rainbow that I had ever seen. I thought, was that just a coincidence or was that God? I find He uses people, places, and things in order to bring his purposes into being. We need to keep our eyes open so we don’t miss them.
Can you remember coincidences that happened at just the right time to give you a change of direction, attitude, or a simple blessing?