Chance or providence?

The chances of life

From a journal entry: I am attending a conference of 3,000 and more people in a foreign city and know very few people here. I arrived late for something because of traffic problems and grabbed the first available seat, not noticing those around me. I then discovered that my neighbour was someone who chaired a conference that I spoke at on the other side of the world five years ago. Chance or providence? Later that day I gazed out the widow of my conference hotel where I am settled in comfort. Below me was a rank urban river alongside of which people live in slum conditions and barely eke out a living? Chance or providence that my whole life is what it is and that of others is what it is?

Each of us can repeat these stories a thousand times over. Our lives are full of events and circumstances that could have been otherwise.

 Chance or providence? The way we answer that reflects our underlying view of life. From where I come, there is no chance, accident or mere coincidence. There are only divine coincidences – also known as providence. This comes from the Bible’s teaching that God works all things according to his purposes (Eph 1:11) and that he works all things for the good of those who love him (Rom 8:28). Behind that is the Bible’s big view of God as the one from whom, through whom and to whom are all things (Rom 11:33-36).

So, what to do with the providence that results in my life of privilege? That’s the providences that meant I was born where I was, of the parents that I had, and with the opportunities, experiences behind me and the choices and resources that are at my disposal.

Three themes emerge.

Firstly, making the most of my providential opportunities. The Bible does not call God’s people to lazy self-indulgence (Eg: Prov 6:6; 6:9-11; 13:4; 20:4; 2 Thess 3:10).  Our calling is to a wholehearted commitment to whatever God gives us to do (Eccles 9:10; Col 3:23) and this is especially so with gospel work (Eph 5:16). We are to work, even if we don’t need to from the necessity of survival.

Secondly, embracing the responsibility that goes with opportunity. My life is not to be lived for myself but for the Lord from whom all comes and by whom I will be judged (Rom 14:10,12). The parable of the talents is also instructive here (Matt 25:14-30). The servants are not judged by what they started with (life’s providences?), but by what they did with it. The more that is given, the more that is asked (Lke 12:48). So instead of indulging in my various privileges I am to ask what responsibilities to God and others arise from them.

Thirdly, being content with my providences. It’s both easy and dangerous to make comparisons. A comparison with those whom I perceive to have more favourable providences can so easily leads to envy and despair. Neither of these is healthy. On the other side, a contrast with those having less favourable providences can lead to arrogantly thinking that I am somehow better than them (as though God’s providences are a matter of my deserving). A better way is to accept the life that God has given me and to follow Paul’s secret of choosing to be content in God in all circumstances (Phil 4:11-13).