(with acknowledgment to  the brilliance of Frederick Buechner)

Do things just happen us? Or, as my alter-ego Forrest Gump mused, “are we all floating along accidental-like?”

We who believe in God are more inclined to say, “certainly not! Heaven forbid!” We come to understand that our lives are driven by divine purpose. The road has many twists and turns, potholes and detours, but the destination should never be in doubt. We are getting somewhere, even as things happen. Forrest Gump stepped in ___and then responded, “It happens.” Thus an expression was born!

Seriously, I am not persuaded that God micro-manages our lives. He has nothing to do with whether you get a strike in bowling, have a good day or a bad day, get cancer; or have grandchildren. His angels can make certain things happen in looking out for our welfare. Consider all the times in our lives we could have been “done in.” We have a certain trajectory plotted by our Maker. Being in and with God constitutes a whole new way of living. Joined together in the mission of God, we confess that He sent Himself in human form to enact a perfect solidarity with us to resist and counteract the “subplot” that hell’s angel orchestrates. Seeking and awaiting the next plot twist that confirms our belief in His providence, we need not fear what the powers that be aspire to. That will always be folly and rubbish. Kick it to the curb! Wad it up and hurl it far, far away! Look to the light of Christ, always overcoming the world. Even though we are all undeserving of it, grasp hold of the unconditional love and freedom of grace that keep us fueled along life’s meandering highway.

Pastor Art