No Coincidences: Victory Series, Part 25
We live in a society that hungers adrenaline highs. Real adrenaline, however,
does not come from the pleasures of this world. In the end, they leave us empty,
and usually depressed and guilt-ridden as well, with no hope in sight. No wonder
the suicide rate is so high!
Real adrenaline never leaves us empty. Instead of tearing us down, it builds us
up. Instead of leaving in utter defeat, it makes us victorious, filling us with
true, fulfilling love and purpose. That kind of adrenaline cannot be found in
the shady corners of our planet. It comes straight from God!
"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have
real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." (John
10:10 The Message)
The first day we were in New Zealand we met some really nice people -- a retired
couple traveling with their son and daughter-in-law. We were staying at the same
bed-and-breakfast in Dunedin, and that first breakfast we had together was far
from ordinary. Although they were from Singapore and we, from Canada, and
although they were Muslims and we, Christians, we hit it off right away. It was
if we had been friends for years.
I still remember the daughter-in-law leaving her fresh mushroom omelet to get
us a map of the Caitlins, our next destination in our trek through this gorgeous
country. We were sad to leave, but we prayed that somehow we would meet again.
Our one week trek through the Southern island went by in a flash, and when we
registered at our last bed-and-breakfast on the island, in Christchurch, we were
told that we would be sharing the house with a traditional Muslim family from
Singapore. Thinking nothing more of it, we then left the bed-and-breakfast to
visit the city. Upon our return, we noticed a familiar looking car in the
driveway. Could it be the same car we shared the driveway with in Dunedin? After
all, our housemates there had been a Muslim family from Singapore ...
But no. That wouldn't be possible.
We had just entered and were saying good-night to our hosts when we heard
footsteps in the hallway. Imagine our surprise when we turned to meet our
Singapore friends from Dunedin! God had made it possible for us to meet again.
Once more we enjoyed our time together, and we exchanged email addresses before
leaving.
What are the chances that without any former planning, people who have just met
in a bed-and-breakfast in a foreign country will meet up again in another
bed-and-breakfast, a week later, in a distant city? After all, we could have
booked any of the hundreds of accommodations in Christchurch! In fact, our hosts
emailed me later to tell us we were the talk of town. Such things just didn't
happen in Christchurch! But there are no coincidences with God. Besides, I'm
used to this. Ever since the day I decided to follow in Jesus' steps, my life
has NEVER been dull.
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study
how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that
exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the
way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right
alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that
story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through.
That
will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" (Heb 12:2-3 The Message)
He gives us victory my friends! He gives us a life worth living. Never can any
of these fading attractions of the world match the love, the forgiveness, the
victory and the adrenaline that God provides us with on a daily basis. It's time
that we let our dusty toys rest and enjoy the One who guarantees us a " better
life than [we] ever dreamed of."
The email exchange with our friends from Singapore has gotten off to a slow
start, however I believe we will meet again. When God opens wide doors, we can
expect the impossible! He always has a purpose!
Rob Chaffart