Understanding life’s events
Is it dangerous to treat coincidences as omens from God? I believe that God has a hand in every aspect of our life. If this is true, wouldn't it be safe to say that some coincidences, be it positive or negative, are God's ways of talking to us? Is it feasible that he uses coincidences to point us down a personal path he has picked out for us? If you say that this is feasible, then what happens if it swings the other way? Maybe something works out in our favor that is truly just a coincidence, but we interpret it as an omen from God and follow a path that brings negativity into our life. Interpreting coincidences seems like something that is very subjective, yet I constantly hear people saying, "That was just God looking out for me," as they dodge something negative in their life. Or does WELS believe that God's only channel of communication to us is through the Bible? I understand that we should always use what God has given us in Scripture to align our lives with his will. How do we answer questions that aren't about moral complications though? Is this where we may allow God's "omens" to help guide our decisions?
The starting point in my response is the acknowledgement that God communicates to us through his word (1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). Through his word God has revealed plainly his law and gospel.
I can probably best address the multiple questions you asked about coincidences by steering you to the topic of “God’s providence.” Beyond the great gift of life that God has given us, he protects and preserves us. He uses different means and events in life to carry out his good and gracious will. While we may not be able to understand or interpret life’s events, we do know that God has promised to work for our eventual and eternal good in all those events (Romans 8:28).
Was it a case of “God looking out for me” when people dodged a negative in life? Sure. Was it also a case of “God looking out for me” when people were not able to dodge a negative in life? Yes. The wisdom and love of God make it possible to answer that question in the affirmative (Genesis 50:20).
That general way of looking at life’s events can provide a quiet contentment and confidence in life. If you and I try to interpret every one of life’s events with an eye toward determining God’s will, we will find that to be a frustrating experience. God’s ways are beyond our ways (Isaiah 55:8). There is plenty of information about God that is hidden from us (Isaiah 45:15). In addition, when it comes to making decisions that concern our earthly lives, God has enabled us to work in the sphere of limited freedom.
With these things in mind, you and I go through life seeking, with God’s help and strength, to give him glory in all we do, including the decisions we make (1 Corinthians 10:31).