But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50:19-20 ESV)
Accidents and Faith
Late last night, a car unexpectedly showed up in front of my moving vehicle. Chaos ensued. My car was totaled, I was not hurt, but it has been surprisingly unsettling. I do not like accidents.
But even though we believe in them, accidents do not exist.
God is sovereign.
In the midst of a crisis, whether automotive, financial, relational, or even weatherly, I seem to forget that even in a wild, chaotic, painful mess, God is lovingly in charge. He knows what He is doing. And He is doing something good. (Romans 8:28)
It helps to remember those accidents in which I have eventually understood God’s activity.
I have lost jobs, to have those jobs replaced by better jobs.
I have been in a car accident that has become a reminder, to me, of community and protection.
I have been broke, and broker, and brokest, and learned to value the physical blessings God showers on me.
I have endured the death of close friends, and learned to rejoice in the time I had with them, and the hope of heaven.
Joseph’s brothers were afraid because of the chaos and evil they had inflicted on Joseph. But Joseph had learned to not panic during crises. Joseph told his brothers that even in the worst of circumstances, God is doing something grand.
There are no accidents. Merely events we do not yet understand.
Take the Faith God grants us.