Of Happenstance and Coincidence
It occurred to me as I thought about the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37, the Gospel Lesson for July 11), that the book “The Road” contained a couple of possible sermon illustrations. However, when I arrived at the library I couldn’t remember the authors’ name. I knew it started with “Mc.” I also knew that ”Cormac” was either his first name or part of his last name. I searched under title on the computer. Nothing! Strange. I then tried the variations of what I thought was the author’s name. Nada! I was about to give up when I turned around. There it was, “The Road” by CORMAC MCCARTHY on a small shelf of recently returned books.
Was that coincidence? “A sequence of events that although accidental seem to be planned or arranged.” Was it happenstance? “A chance circumstance.” Was it serendipity? “The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.”
Or, was it by the leading of the Holy Spirit, since I intended to use the book to assist in preaching the Word on July 11? I like to think the Holy Spirit was leading the way to “The Road.”
However, much the same thing happened two weeks ago in the same library with regard to the new biography on Willie Mays. In 1951, my older brother, Laurin, said I should cheer for a team in the National League. He suggested the New York Giants. Of course, Willie Mays was in his rookie season in 1951. My brother was a Dodgers fan. It was against the Dodgers that Bobby Thompson hit the game winning homerun, “The shot heard round the world,” against in the playoffs.
I walked over to the shelf of new books and there sat the Willie Mays biography. Led by the Spirit? I have a tough time with that. This is St. Louis Cardinal Country. So it could be that not many people are interested in Willie Mays in these environs.
Well trying to figure out how the Holy Spirit might be directing me every time I go into the library is not very profitable. Better that we remember St. Paul’s words in his letter to the Galatians, which has made up our epistle lessons the last few weeks.
Because God sent forth Jesus Christ to buy us back (redeem) us from the curse of failing to do the Law, we have received adoption as children of God. God sent the Spirit into our hearts leading us to cry out “Father, Father” to God. Through the Spirit we know and believe that we are heirs of eternal life (Galatians 4:5-7). The Holy Spirit is now leading us in producing fruits of good works that benefit other people. Therefore, concludes Paul, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25).”
So when I walk into the library I don’t have to wonder how the Spirit is going to lead me in picking books, but that the Spirit leads me to act with patience, kindness and gentleness toward the other patrons and the library staff.
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