A Series Of Coincidental Events Series

A SERIES OF COINCIDENTAL EVENTS (ESTHER 6)

If you were to tell me when I was young that I would be a pastor when I grow up, I would have laughed at you and say “You are crazy.” And if you were to tell me that I would be a pastor for at least 20 years in ministry, and along with that to study theology for another seven years full-time and several more years in continuing education, I would say, “You need to go to see a doctor.” If you were to tell me then that I would leave the church I love and live thousands of miles away from my birthplace, I would say, “You must be admitted to an insane asylum.” If you were to tell me I would marry a Hong Kong girl with a doctorate, I would say, “That’s it. No more joking around.”

If you were to tell me I would eventually learn Chinese voluntarily to expand the ministry, then attempt to translate my sermons in Chinese, and have an opportunity to use my Chinese to teach at the seminary level, I would tell you, “How long do I live to do so much?”

In 1997 I went to Chicago for continuing education, determined to leave the ethnic-rich West Coast for the Midwest or the East Coast after seven years in southern California. Pastors and churches knowing my availability encouraged me to apply for their church’s vacant pastoral position, and so I did. I had interviews in Chicago, Milwaukee, Connecticut, but nothing turned out. It was so bad that Rev. Chu even lost my file! After half a year there I gave up and returned to Los Angeles. Immediately, RCAC invited me to interview and then to be her church pastor within two weeks.

We cannot see God’s existence but we can see His hand at work and His imprint everywhere. God’s existence is often challenged and ridiculed, but it requires more faith to see life without rhyme or reason, as a random chain of events or an accident waiting to happen. Christians sees God in the big picture and the finer details of life. Nothing catches Him slacking off, gives Him a heart attack, and makes Him throws His hand up. In fact, He will always triumph, His way is the best way, and He saves the best for the last.

God Obstructs the Proud

6:1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered. 4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him. 5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. 6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?”

One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children. The teacher asked a little boy:

TEACHER: Tommy do you see the tree outside?

TOMMY (obediently replied): Yes.

TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?

TOMMY (followed with another): Yes.

TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.

TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.

TEACHER: Did you see God?

TOMMY (honestly answered): No.

TEACHER: That’s my point. We can’t see God because he isn’t there. He just

doesn’t exist.

A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions. The teacher agreed and the little girl asked the boy:

LITTLE GIRL (bravely asked): Tommy, do you see the tree outside?

TOMMY: Yes.

LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?

TOMMY (enthusiastically said): Yessssss!

LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?

TOMMY: Yessssss!

LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?

TOMMY: Yes

LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?

TOMMY: No

LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she must not have one!

An African proverb says, “The moon moves slowly but it crosses the town.”

When the king could not sleep, he did not ask for the court jester, a night snack, or the queen’s company. He unexpectedly and blandly asked for a book to read, probably to induce sleep! The book of choice was not an interesting storybook, puzzle or drawing to begin with, but a boring court document and a palace record.