Dr. Mike Murphy
January 22, 2023
There are no coincidences when it comes to God! When you begin to see things come together, know they are doing so with a purpose that He has in mind. A purpose that should cause each of us to take pause, be quiet, and listen to exactly what He is telling us. To hear His voice, to take the time to seek why He needs our attention. I had one of those moments this week, and the events that led to it came about in a way that could only come from the Lord.
I was reminded this week of a movie I have watched many times. A movie that most do not know and have never seen, but a movie that will touch the life of anyone who takes the time to watch it. The Perfect Stranger is a movie unlike any other. The story of a wife, mother, and attorney, whose life and routine is on the verge of spinning out of control. As she arrives at her office, she finds an invitation on her desk. An invitation to dine at her favorite restaurant. An invitation that she sees as a joke, as the invitation is from Jesus Christ. Thinking this as a prank by her husband, she decides to go to the dinner. And what ensues, forever changes her life.
Within minutes of watching this, I saw where a survey had been taken. The questionnaire had inquired of all who would listen , “If you could ask God one question, what would you ask?”. Most of the questions were those we have all heard time and time again. What is my purpose on this earth? Is there really a Heaven and a Hell? Why is there suffering and evil? Are all religions the same? How can we know that You are real?
When we look closely at the questions, we realize that most are not asked in search of an answers, but are seeking affirmation. Most are not looking to know the Truth from God, but to make the Lord fit their own version of the truth. To each of these questions, God has already given us the answer. The problem is, many do not like the answer the Lord has given, or simply do not desire to study and read His Word for the answers, They find it easier to make the Lord fit their questions, not to make their lives fit God’s answers.
Looking again at these questions, we soon realize that to know the answer to two of them, we have the answer to all of them. How can we know that You are real? It does not take two seconds of looking in any direction to see the hand of the Creator at work. To know there is a God, we simply need no further proof that to look at all the Lord has made. The world around us shouts of His intelligence, the purpose and plan that comes from His hands(Psalms 19:1).
If someone was to lay all the parts of a car on the ground, what would it take for all those parts to be put together and made into a working automobile? No amount of time or chance could ever bring those parts together on their own. It would take someone with the necessary intelligence to know how the parts work, and how the parts could best fit together. If this much intelligence is necessary to put the parts of a car together, than how much intelligence is necessary to put all the parts of this world, and this universe together? It could only be done by One with an intelligence far greater than any we will ever know!
Not only do we see His handwork when we look at this world, we see it in the eyes of those around us. In each of us, God has created a sense of eternity(Ecclesiastes 3:11). In each of us is a sense that there is more to this life than just what we see. We see a greater purpose and a greater calling, that this life holds more than just living and dying. Each time we read His Word, that sense comes to life. We see it play out in every story, prophecy, and promise the Scripture gives us. And we watch as that sense took form as the Lord came to this earth, and gave His life so that each of us could be a part of His eternal purpose and plan. All the proof we ever need of God can be seen in the world around us, and can be found within each of us.
The other of these questions also have just as obvious an answer. Are all religions the same? The history books are filled with page after page of man’s attempt to make numerous “gods” into the One True God. But those same history books also show us that only the Lord God could ever fill that role. And He has chosen only one way to bring that role into our lives, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Of all the infinite proof I could give you of God, one word separates the Lord God from all other gods. One simple word, love!
No other religion can define the love that God has for each of us. A love that knows no boundaries, and a love that is individual and personal within each of our lives. Only through the teachings of Christ, do we see, feel and experience a personal God. Through no other way can man know that love. We cannot know it through the many New Age and Eastern based religions. And in the Quran, the word “love” does not even appear. It teaches of a god you can never fully know, and one who is distant from you at all times. A god of rituals, not a God of love. Only One God did not just create you, but desires to have a personal relationship with you. And created a way so you may have that relationship with Him. Love is the ultimate proof of God, and the ultimate proof that only through Christ, can we know the One True God! It is only through His love for us, that our questions can be turned into answers. That our doubts can be turned into prayer. And our inquiries can be turned into conversations with Him!
After seeing the movie again, and reading the questions of the survey, the purpose behind the “coincidence” of the Lord showing me both became crystal clear! I did not need a dinner with the Lord to ask Him the questions of my heart. For the last twenty-two years of my life, I realized I had dined with the Lord many times. I had shared more meals with Him than I could begin to count. And I had not shared with Him just meals, but all the moments of my life. In my lowest moments, He was there to lift me up. To pick me up, dust me off, wipe away my tears, and lead my back on my way. And during my greatest moments, He was also there. To share with me in my joys, to relish with me in my laughs, and to keep me humble in each of those moments. Every moment of my life, He has been there!
As many may know, I have stage four cancer. And as I face what the days ahead of me hold, this “coincidence” served to remind me that I would not face a single moment of these days alone. No matter what I may face, no matter how this body may fail me, I know that I will never eat another meal alone. I know that as I sit at the table, there is One already waiting there for me. One who has answered all my questions, and One who explained away all my doubts. One who loves me more than I am ever capable of loving myself. One who defines loves.
As you sit at the table today, twirling your spaghetti, or savoring that last bite of your burger, enjoy the company of the One who shares that meal with you. Let every word hold you captive, and cherish every moment you sit at the table. Let His Word speak to you, and do not let a single question you may have go unanswered. And with each meal, I pray that you will always leave an open plate at every table you find yourself at. There is a very special Dinner Guest, who would love nothing more than to share a meal with each of you!“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm. 16:11
