Life Isn’t as Random as We Suppose

Life Isn’t as Random as We Suppose

by Carrie Irving

A lot of us don’t realize God is leading us. We think it’s just us—that we’re making these decisions and trying to do our best.

When I step into ministry, for example, most of the time I have it in my head that this is a fairly random thing. This person just happened to come to me for ministry. The event is happening now, in this moment, but it wasn’t planned out in advance.

But the other morning, I read Isaiah 45 and realized that’s not actually the case. Life is not as random as we think.

God Is in Control

This is what the Lord says to Cyrus His anointed, Whom I have taken by the right hand, To subdue nations before him And to undo the weapons belt on the waist of kings; To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut… (Isa. 45:1 NASB)

As I read this verse, it struck me that God is so in control that He even used Cyrus, a king who didn’t know who He was. God arranged the entire thing.

Think about it from Cyrus’s perspective. He was probably thinking, Oh yeah. I’m going to do this thing. I’m going to move forward. I’ve decided to conquer this nation, and I’ve decided to send these other people home.

He didn’t understand what was actually going on. He had no idea that he was being influenced by a god—much less THE God, the Creator of all things

But in Isaiah 45, God basically declares, “Actually, this is Me. I am planting these ideas in your head, and I’m setting up your circumstances, and I am making a way. I’m giving you ideas and opening the doors for you, so you will do exactly what I want.”

God Is Working Through You

Your life isn’t random. There is a reason you’re in this space, at this time, for this
encounter. Though it may seem random, it is not—it is a divine appointment.

When a neighbor walks by and I happen to be outside right then, when someone texts me asking for prayer, when any of these “little” things happen—they are bigger than I think.

If I could just switch my thinking, I would realize, “I’m here because this is a God moment!” My faith would increase, and I would be more willing to step into that opportunity because I would recognize the truth. “I am here for a reason. I may not be the end-all solution, but I’m part of the solution. I’m part of the prayer and what’s supposed to happen next here.”

God is moving all around you, and He’s also moving in you. You get to step forward in faith and move with Him.