Christ Over Coincidence

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord (Lamentations 3:25-26, ESV).

Like many things that happened in 2020, being on furlough last summer due to COVID-19 was totally unexpected. While unexpected, it did provide time and an opportunity for me to invest in making some upgrades to my backyard.

My Dad and I built a top for my patio table, I found some beautiful wrought-iron rockers for sale on Facebook Marketplace, I purchased and (with some help from a friend) restored an outdoor swing, and, most importantly, had a 6-foot privacy fence installed. All those upgrades combined together has allowed me to create a fantastic outdoor space that I’ve grown to love over the year.

As we approach the beautiful fall weather I’m looking forward to spending time out there reading, doing Bible study, hosting gatherings, and most importantly, sharing deep, meaningful conversations with friends in that space. I’ve always enjoyed connecting with others, but there’s something extra special about doing so in a space that came together in a way that only the Lord could have allowed. Some people call it coincidence, but I know it’s Christ.

The journey to finding my home started right around this time almost 5 years ago and I’d like to share this story with you as evidence that Christ always reigns over coincidence.

I got up early one Saturday morning and drove from a friend’s house back to my very small studio apartment in Lexington. I hopped in the shower, got dressed and was about to leave when I saw that my landlord had left my lease renewal outside the door for me to sign. Though I didn’t love living in such a small space, I had decided to renew for another year—yes the space was small, but it was very affordable and provided everything I needed. Or so I thought. After scribbling my signature on the lease, I left it for my landlord and headed out the door to a friend’s baby shower.

Several hours later, I found myself feeling a little out of sorts emotionally. While I was so grateful and happy to have been invited to attend the baby shower, it served as a reminder that several of the deepest longings of my heart had yet to be answered by the Lord. While grappling with the unexpected emotional response, I found myself in the only place I knew to go—church.

An hour later, I walked out having heard a message that led me to seeking potential options for expanding my living space in order to accommodate my extended family, namely, growing nieces and nephews. Several hours later while searching Zillow with some specific parameters, the first house that popped up on the list of available properties was my house. Fast forward four days and I had a signed contract on the house that has become my home over the last five years. Christ over coincidence? Absolutely, yes.

Over the last five years it has been so fun to see all the ways the Lord has provided in regard to my home. He has allowed me to invest in this space in a way that has been reflective of my own growth, both spiritually and emotionally. As He has transformed my heart, He continues to transform my home.

A friend came by to visit a couple weeks ago and we found ourselves sitting outside on my upgraded patio, chatting, while enjoying a warm spring evening. We talked about work, our families, swapped stories, and even ended up diving into some deep conversation about ways the Lord has challenged us in the past.

While reflecting on separate events, we were reminded of God’s faithfulness in every aspect of our lives. Unexpected changes, timing of events, things not working out as we had hoped, certain relationships ending while new ones were budding, both of us acknowledging that none of it was coincidence because our hope and faith is in Christ Jesus. Lamentations 3:25-26 reminds us: The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

While I never imagined I would buy a home in such quick fashion, the way things played out has, and will continue to, serve as a reminder that the Lord’s timing is never a coincidence. It is perfect and far better than any plan I can construct on my own. If I ever need to be reminded of this truth, I can look no further than this house that has become my home, and the relationships the Lord has been so kind to bless me with.

Often I will pause and think back over the last four to five years of my life, and when I do, I am in awe of all the things God has done. While there remain desires in my heart that He has not yet allowed to come to pass, I will continue to choose to seek the Lord and trust His goodness in the process.

Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy, but when I reflect on His faithfulness in my life, I am immediately reminded that Christ reigns supreme over all. Every time someone credits coincidence, I just smile and chuckle while knowing that nothing in this life happens by accident or luck, but by and through the grace, love, mercy, and kindness of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And for that, I am so thankful.