QuickThoughts: The Divine Butterfly Effect

A brother in Christ (and pastor at my church) recently shared the story of how a single penny set in motion events which had a profound impact on his life. His story inspired me to think back on my life and the many, many instances where I could see God taking a seemingly insignificant event and using it to orchestrate all things, bringing me to the exact point I am today.

For some reason, one such event stood out to me the most:

Ten to twelve years ago, I found myself drinking alone in a bar. At the time, I believed myself to be a Christian, though looking back now it is doubtful; I was not living life like a Christian, generally following the leading of my carnal heart, doing whatever it was that made me happy (briefly).

While I was drinking at that bar, I noticed a women sitting a few stools down from me searching frantically for her cell phone. I joined her in the hunt and quickly located it for her. Overjoyed, she and I struck up a conversation that eventually lead to her urging me to apply for a job at the company she worked for.

I had never considered that employer before, assuming it was beyond my education and skillset. Nonetheless, I heeded her plea and applied for an entry-level position, which I had soon secured.

It was at that job that I was finally able to stop living paycheck to paycheck, returning pop/beer cans weekly to afford food, rent, and my many sinful “vices.”

At some point in the next year or so, my heart began to change. While the point of this post is not to share my whole testimony, it was during this period that I began to notice my desires and affections were increasingly focused more and more upon Christ than upon myself. I was saved and I knew it.

At this job, I was given the freedom to learn new skills and technologies, which lead to greater opportunities for professional growth. That growth eventually lead to several promotions and the ability to begin building my own career within the company.

It was also at this job that I met my beautiful, supportive, encouraging, godly, and Christ-focused wife. That blessing alone is what my pondering our pastor’s penny story lead to.

If I had not been drinking in that bar that night, I would have never ended up applying for this job, meeting my wife, or learning the skills necessary to move on to my current job.

God used my sinful lifestyle at the time to guide my life; He met me in that bar and lead me out of it and into a solid, grace-filled relationship with Him. While I may have been living like a goat, I know that I have always been one of His sheep. I was lost, and He found me. He opened my ears to hear my Shepherd’s voice and quickened my feet to run to His embrace.

I guess my point in all this is that we never know exactly how God plans to use our decisions for His glory and for the good of His sheep, but we can trust that He does:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

Even while I was sinning in that bar, rebelling against the Savior who had already paid for me with His blood, He was still working all things for my good, leading me to the beautiful woman He had created for me to love.

And through this simple thought experiment, I see the glory of God shining through it all. This is just one small example of the thousands of choices I’ve made, places I’ve been, trials I have experienced, and losses I’ve suffered – all of which were carefully woven by a God who loves me.

Brethren, whatever season of life you may find yourself in today, give glory to God. Find comfort in knowing that even your darkest hour was designed by your loving Father in heaven. Rejoice with thanksgiving as you recount the untold blessings you’ve received from Him. And marvel at how He used even the most mundane details of your life to bring you to Him.