It is true that God works in mysterious ways.
A conversation with a dear friend (who seems to be more like
a sage) left us recently discussing how in classical, ancient languages, there
is actually no equivalent for the English word “coincidence”. No, the path we’re
on is never a coincidence. Even after yet another set of very hard, personal
life circumstances, I believe this now more than ever. When we make impulsive, un-thought out
decisions, God is right there to catch us. When consequences of our mistakes should
be nothing less than death, He covers us with protection and comfort. He saves
us from ourselves repeatedly and tenderly draws us right back into His arms.
No, I’ll never fully understand the mystery of our Savior, but I plan to spend
my life trying.
I recently watched The Count of Monte Christo with another
good friend. There are two lines in this movie that have etched into my mind.
Without giving away the movie (if you haven’t seen this movie, it’s a must),
there is a character in the movie who believes in God and then, in a series of
extremely tragic circumstances, loses his faith. At one point, Edmund- the character
who has lost all hope- is speaking with a priest. He tells the priest firmly
that he does not believe in God, to which the priest replies “It matters not…He
believes in you”. At another point in
the movie, Edmund is declaring his unbelief once more to the woman he once
loved. She replies with a bold statement “Can’t you see that God is in everything…even a kiss”… (and yes, then
they kiss in that way that makes you want to sail off to Italy
and run through a hillside of daisies).
There is one thing I know to be true; God is in everything.
And He always finds us, even when we run. When we’re lost and caught up with
busy minds, caffeinated nervous systems, and mile long to-do lists, He breaks
through. When we’re weighted down with
past failures and wounded spirits, He cuts in and binds our broken, human
hearts. When we wonder if it’s really
Him who has come to save us, we need only to quiet our racing thoughts long
enough to feel His silent peace. It’s Him. It’s always been Him.
