A Gentle Breeze

The term “Godincidence” first entered my vocabulary about twenty years ago, and it has since become a favorite word! Through the years I’ve learned to see God at work in everyday occurrences. It never ceases to amaze me, to become aware of His presence and work in my life! Many Godincidences have become treasured memories.

Coincidence?

I’m afraid that oftentimes people write things off as coincidence when it’s really God at work. In doing so, they rob themselves not only of a faith-strengthening event, but an opportunity to give thanks and praise.

It might be hard to believe in air since it can’t be seen, but then it moves, causing leaves to flutter or water to ripple, making its presence known.

If one were struggling to believe in God, then being aware of a Godincidence might be just what their immature faith needs. I’ve been in the company of people like that and heard them question God’s existence.

Do Not Be Anxious

A few times a week I volunteer at a substance abuse facility where we offer a Bible study. I’m very much aware of the spiritual battle that’s going on so it’s my practice to pray before entering the facility, and again when I enter the room where we meet, requesting the Holy Spirit’s presence.

One day I was teaching on the topic of prayer, and in the middle of class one of the ladies began to have difficulty breathing. She gasped that she was having an anxiety attack and that she needed to go to the hospital.

Someone ran to summon a nurse, who quickly came to get her. When they had left, the remaining ladies asked me to lead them in prayer for her. Afterwards, when I asked if they wanted to resume the Bible study, they all agreed that they did.

Finding the place where we had left off, one of the women read:

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:13-16 New International Version)

One of the ladies exclaimed, “Wow! I’m floored!”

The next verse was:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”(Philippians 4:6 NIV)

A Gentle Breeze

This Godincidence was not lost on the group – the ladies excitedly chattered about it. I feel sure that it had a profound affect on them. Because of the Holy Spirit’s perfect timing, our lesson became more real and memorable.

I try to be watchful for God at work and careful not to dismiss it as coincidence. I don’t want to be robbed of the awareness of God’s awesome presence, especially when it’s as subtle as a gentle breeze.