Venice. On vaporetto #1 (the “bus-boat”). Somewhere between the Salute church stop and San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). But I’ve gotten ahead of myself ….
Friday, two weeks ago, my nephew, Jacob, and I went out eat in Florence. At Sostanza. To eat bistecca alla Fiorentina (steak like the Florentines eat—i.e., raw—almost!). Now Sostanza is an unusual enterprise that has only two seatings: 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm. Everyone gets in at either one of those seatings. And sits communally, in the six or so tables that are housed in it. Sharing our 7:30-table was this obviously American couple. Of course, Jacob and I were so engrossed in the steak (and the pasta and the artichoke omelette and the tiramisú) that we kept to ourselves (and the recently deceased bovine). We entered, we engorged, we exited.
Imagine our surprise four days later (yes, FOUR!), 170-odd miles northeast of Sostanza: there we were joy-riding our way through Venice in one of the vaporetti, when suddenly Jacob nudges me. There, just a few feet from us in the crowded boat, was the same couple. (I surreptitiously snapped a picture.)
Chance?
Jesus, himself, utilized that concept in the famous parable of the Good Samaritan, though, of course, that was a storyteller’s prerogative.
Friday, two weeks ago, my nephew, Jacob, and I went out eat in Florence. At Sostanza. To eat bistecca alla Fiorentina (steak like the Florentines eat—i.e., raw—almost!). Now Sostanza is an unusual enterprise that has only two seatings: 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm. Everyone gets in at either one of those seatings. And sits communally, in the six or so tables that are housed in it. Sharing our 7:30-table was this obviously American couple. Of course, Jacob and I were so engrossed in the steak (and the pasta and the artichoke omelette and the tiramisú) that we kept to ourselves (and the recently deceased bovine). We entered, we engorged, we exited.
Imagine our surprise four days later (yes, FOUR!), 170-odd miles northeast of Sostanza: there we were joy-riding our way through Venice in one of the vaporetti, when suddenly Jacob nudges me. There, just a few feet from us in the crowded boat, was the same couple. (I surreptitiously snapped a picture.)
Chance?
Jesus, himself, utilized that concept in the famous parable of the Good Samaritan, though, of course, that was a storyteller’s prerogative.
And by chance a priest
was going down on that road ….
Luke 10:31
was going down on that road ….
Luke 10:31
And then there is the story of King Ahab’s death.
A certain man
drew his bow at random
and struck the king of Israel ….
2 Chronicles 18:33
drew his bow at random
and struck the king of Israel ….
2 Chronicles 18:33
“At random”? Not exactly. One of the prophets in the king’s court, Micaiah, knew this was going to happen.
Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear
the word of the LORD.
I saw the LORD
sitting on His throne,
and all the host of heaven standing
on His right and on His left.
The LORD said, ‘Who will entice
Ahab king of Israel
to go up and fall …?’”
Micaiah said,
“If you indeed return safely,
the LORD has not spoken by me.”
2 Chronicles 18:18–19, 27
the word of the LORD.
I saw the LORD
sitting on His throne,
and all the host of heaven standing
on His right and on His left.
The LORD said, ‘Who will entice
Ahab king of Israel
to go up and fall …?’”
Micaiah said,
“If you indeed return safely,
the LORD has not spoken by me.”
2 Chronicles 18:18–19, 27
Ahad didn’t. Micaiah was right. The Lord had spoken. It wasn’t “random.”
In other words, while from our human perspective things might appear “at random,” or “by chance,” one must add God into this equation of serendipity.
The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision
is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:33
But its every decision
is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:33
Even the casting of lots. God’s work, there too. Random from our vantage point, but not at all. (Hmmm … maybe I should go to Vegas?)
God is in control!
[God] does according to His will
in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And no one can ward off His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
Daniel 4:35
in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And no one can ward off His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
Daniel 4:35
God is absolutely in control. Of things big …
The king's heart is like
channels of water
in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
Proverbs 21:1
channels of water
in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
Proverbs 21:1
… and small.
Are not two sparrows sold for a cent?
And yet not one of them
will fall to the ground
apart from your Father.
But the very hairs of your head
are all numbered.
So do not fear;
you are more valuable
than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29–31
And yet not one of them
will fall to the ground
apart from your Father.
But the very hairs of your head
are all numbered.
So do not fear;
you are more valuable
than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29–31
Absolutely in control!
But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.
Psalm 115:3
He does whatever He pleases.
Psalm 115:3
Thank God, he is in control.
And we know that God causes
all things to work together for good
to those who love God,
to those who are called
according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
all things to work together for good
to those who love God,
to those who are called
according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
Relax. Ours isn’t a random God.
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1 comment:
My favorite is Ruth 2:3----the Hebrew has "her [Ruth's] chance chanced upon the portion of the field belonging to Boaz." Note the cognate coupling of subject and verb---quite rare in Hebrew, although more common with object and verb. Quite emphatic. Chance indeed! I think it was J Vernon McGee who said, "If Ruth picked the wrong field, we can take down the Christmas lights!"
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