When you look up “coincidence” at dictionary.com here’s what you find:

Coincidence. Noun. a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance.

It’s like being in New York, saying to your friend that you miss so-and-so from back home, then bumping into that person you just mentioned 10 seconds later. Then you say, “Oh, I was just thinking about you, what a coincidence!”

Some kind of coincidence has happened to all of us. Maybe you’ve even experienced one this week!

But look closely at the definition. It says “a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance.” The key is the word “apparently.” It only SEEMS like “mere chance.”

I realize that there are legitimate coincidences. But what if coincidences weren’t always just chance? What if some of them were orchestrated by God?

God is omnipresent, which means he is always present wherever you go. That’s the thinking behind the words in Ephesians 4:6 that God is “over all and through all and in all.”

-What if you randomly keep bumping into someone because one of you is supposed to somehow encourage the other?
-What if a certain message keeps surfacing in your life like a broken record because you are supposed to pay attention to it?
-What if you keep hearing talk shows or songs about similar topics because you are being prepared for something that’s coming in your life?

What we call coincidence is often providence. It’s God’s guiding and directing hand, leading us into a future he already occupies.

Today, as you go about your life, pay attention. Our God guides and directs you, leading you into a future he already occupies. A part of what that means is that, through people, places and events, God is preparing you, seeking the best for you, and using you to bless the world.

What we call coincidence is often providence. So pay attention. God may be directing you, leading you, preparing you and using you way more than you think.

By Matthew Ruttan

• “Up!” is published 5 days a week (Tuesday to Saturday) and returns on April 11th.

• CONFUSED? If you’re confused about a lot of the words used during Holy Week and Easter, you’re not alone! After all, what does “Maundy” mean? If Jesus was crucified on Good Friday why is it called “good”? And what does the name “Easter” even refer to? Here’s a blog to help you figure it all out.