Day 252 - Coincidence or Sign?

Video 

 

Reflection

Coincidence or sign? 

Acts: 14-16

“The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.”

You can see from the excerpt above that Peter quite literally got a sign - a sheet hanging in the sky 🪧.  Before we get this scene we are told about Cornelius from Caesarea getting a vision the day before. He has an angel appear and tell him to send for Simon Peter because he had a message for him.  How many times have you had things occur and have asked yourself if it is a coincidence or a sign?  Some of us fall on either end of the spectrum, I used to look for signs in everything. There are others that dismiss everything as coincidence and block themselves from receiving signs because they think it is too weird or ‘woo woo’.

So I think these chapters can give us some insight on how to tell the difference. First thing though is you have to be open and paying attention. So if you are on the ‘woo woo’ side of things, then I am talking to you!  Step one, open up yourself to the spiritual realm. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.  Here are a few things I think these chapters tells us on how we can discern when things are signs:

  • Details and specifics 
  • Multiple witnesses
  • Multiple people involved that are often unrelated to each other 
  • Multiple occurrences
  • Documenting by telling and/or recording things in detail- when things stay in our heads it gets easier to dismiss and think of yourself as ‘crazy’. 
  • Bigger picture evident - signs point to things
  • Confirmation by evidence or an event

God was using Cornelius, an authority figure, a believer, a gentile respected by the Jewish community and Simon Peter to deliver the good news that he is no longer playing favorites. Evidence literally falls down in the form of the Holy Spirit after Peter shares the message of the good news. There are witnesses that experience and confirm it. News spreads and makes it back to the church but they are not convinced. So Peter recounts the full story in detail and then they believe and affirm this sign. All are welcome, one only need fear God and do what is right and they can now receive the Holy Spirit.  

Meanwhile we are also told that gentiles in Antioch are also being brought into the church and receiving the Holy Spirit. They send Barnabus to investigate. Remember Barnabus is a Levite and his nickname means son of encouragement. He corroborates that this is happening and is full of joy and encourages everyone that this is good. He is trusted because he is strong in faith and full of the Holy Spirit. He is so encouraged he goes to get Saul and bring him back and they stay there for a year preaching and teaching. 

So depending on how you are wired and designed by God he will send signs to you that you can recognize. Peter received a vision, Cornelius saw an angel, both received instructions, Barnabus saw the blessings and the Holy Spirit.  I often get signs through information like books, podcasts, conversations. As I said at the beginning I was always trying to create and see signs and connections everywhere and have gotten myself into some trouble. I have probably also missed a lot of actual signs and missed opportunities. But God is faithful, loving and will be ready when we are. I now am more discerning. When I hear something a few times and from a few unrelated stories I really pay attention and follow where that path leads. I pray and proceed, move and act in faith. Life is a daily adventure as I am learning the difference between coincidences and signs. I lean not on my own understanding and check my motivations more often. 

How does this help you? Which end of the spectrum are you on? Do you have stories and confirmations and testimonies in your life that you know where God or something bigger than you at work? Was it an adventure?

Daily Journal Prompt: 

How does this help you? Which end of the spectrum are you on? Do you have stories and confirmations and testimonies in your life that you know where God or something bigger than you at work? Was it an adventure?

Tomorrows Reading: 

Acts Chapter 13

 

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