Eileen's Blog - Part 5: Tuning into Serendipity
PART 5: TUNING INTO SERENDIPITY
In Matthew 6 v 28, Jesus makes it clear that the father in heaven will provide for our needs in a natural, effortless way. He knows what we need, and anxiety is pointless and unproductive; in fact, bad for our mental and physical health. He cares much more for us, he says, than birds or flowers, but they themselves are fully provided for in every way. So it is with our provision. And the amazing thing is that, as Jesus describes, it can often “just happen”!
There is a word a particular for “it just happens” in a surprising and unexpected way, that you may not have heard before. It is called serendipity. Serendipity is as much part of the kingdom of God as all of the rest of Jesus’ teachings. Yes, Jesus is teaching serendipity in Matthew 6
The actual word “serendipity” does not appear in the Bible — it’s an English word coined in the 18th century (by Horace Walpole, 1754), long after the biblical texts were written. But the idea of “serendipity” — unexpected blessings, discoveries, or divine providence that seems accidental but is actually meaningful — is very present throughout Scripture.
For instance, in Acts 17, Apostle Paul, while in Athens, used an altar inscribed "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD" as a starting point to preach. He explained that this unknown God is the creator of the world who does not live in temples made by humans (Athens was full of those), but rather is the one who gives life to all and in whom "we live and move and have our being". Paul's sermon connected their existing altar to the God of Jesus Christ.
He was just wandering through the marketplace where people were known to debate. He was a Jew by birth. These people in Athens had little knowledge of Judaism or of Jesus. He just so happens to come across this shrine and a lightbulb goes on in his head! Improvising, he addresses the groups standing nearby.
Serendipity occurs when you are open to receive and give good things and are ready to act on what you see: a combination of inspiration and improvisation. This is how Jesus responded to the people and situations he met as we read them in the gospels.
The Book of the Acts of the Apostles too is based on the lives of disciples behaving in the same way. Notice how it is not called “ the Acts of the Holy Spirit” or “the Acts of God”. It was individual followers of Jesus who know what they had to give and gave it. Peter said to the lame beggar in Acts 3, “ Silver and gold I have none, but what I have got I will give to you”. Remember those words? You may not have a gift of healing as Peter had, but you may have a kind word, a hand of friendship, a listening ear. Whatever you have, you can bless with. You give what you have received.
In fact your life is an adventure, partnering with God. It needs divinely inspired courage, imagination and trust and His total support, which he readily, nay eagerly gives. This is God’s plan for your life- to work together with him in this kind of way.
This is how the plan of God works out with you, in you and for you. You are a follower of the Way, Christian a “little Christ” with humility bringing kindness, wisdom and clarity in an often confusing, sometimes scary world. Jesus says: “Don’t be anxious or afraid sons and daughters of humankind, the Lord is your shepherd you shall not want!”