“Coincidence is God’s way of staying anonymous.” — Albert Einstein
It’s a striking thought, especially coming from one of the greatest scientific minds to ever live. And it echoes another idea often attributed to Pasteur or Bacon: a little science distances you from God, but a lot of science brings you back to Him.
Both point to something I’ve come to feel more than just believe—there are no true accidents in this life. What we often call coincidence may simply be something deeper at work, something just beyond our ability to fully explain.
When I look at the design of life itself—the precision, the order, the awareness—I can’t convince myself we’re walking this path alone. There’s something greater moving through it all, something we can sense even if we can’t define.
Lately, I’ve been trying to live with that awareness.
I meet people—friends, strangers, brief passersby—and instead of brushing it off, I pause and think, God brought this person into my path. Even in the smallest moments.
On a recent trip, I found myself on a short shuttle ride—five minutes at most—surrounded by people I’ll likely never see again. Different stories, different struggles, different lives all intersecting for a moment. And instead of letting it pass unnoticed, I caught myself saying quietly, Thank you, God, for letting me see this. Bless them on their journey.
And I’ve started to look at these encounters differently. I ask myself, what is my purpose in this moment? Maybe a simple smile, a kind word, or a genuine exchange is exactly what that person needs to keep going. Like a quiet butterfly effect in motion—an energy set loose into the world, carrying far beyond what I can see, touching both the subtle and the significant.
Serve the day. Serve the moment. Serve God.
Even when it’s inconvenient. Even when it’s unexpected. Even when it’s the stranger at the hotel lobby bar talking my ear off. Maybe she didn’t need advice—maybe she just needed to be seen and heard. And in that moment, I stayed—not out of obligation or politeness, but with intention. To listen. To really hear her.
Because maybe the path isn’t just about where I’m going…
maybe it’s about how I show up for what’s placed in front of me.
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” — Hebrews 13:2
Prayer
Lord, help me to see Your hand in every encounter. Slow me down enough to recognize the moments You place before me. Let me serve with patience, listen with intention, and show up with love—especially when it’s inconvenient. Use me, even in the smallest ways, to be part of something greater than myself. Amen.
