Just a couple of cats standing next to one another, but as they move about- they form a "heart". Coincidence? Absolutely! But, are there times when things happen and you find yourself asking- Is something going on here that is more than just a coincidence?
I wonder what the man in this passage from the book of Acts thought about his encounter with Philip, the evangelist....
Acts, Chapter 8 (World English Bible)
26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”
27 He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. 28 He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”
30 Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this,
“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent,
so he doesn’t open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.
Who will declare His generation?
For his life is taken from the earth.”
34 The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”
35 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus. 36 As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”
37 TR adds “Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ He answered, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’” 38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
27 He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. 28 He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”
30 Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this,
“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent,
so he doesn’t open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.
Who will declare His generation?
For his life is taken from the earth.”
34 The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”
35 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus. 36 As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”
37 TR adds “Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ He answered, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’” 38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
The Ethiopian eunuch was somebody important; we know this because a queen put him in charge of her MONEY. He was returning from Jerusalem worship and was reading the book of Isaiah in his chariot. And along comes Philip and answers his question. Philip responds by seeking to be baptized and then Philip is whisked away.
Coincidence? Not hardly! An angel of the Lord sent Philip to him (vs. 26) and the Spirit of the Lord took him away (vs. 39). God works in mysterious ways, both with nations and with individuals. As I reflect upon my own life, I can see numerous instances where individuals "just happened" to be there and by being there, my life was changed- forever! Coincidence? I don't think so!!!
If you think something is missing from your life and are looking for an answer, ask God, he will help!!! Perhaps, HE might even send you someone to help? And the thing is- you might not even realize what is going on until long after.
Coincidence? I might believe it with cats, but not with God!!!