Serendipity

Last Saturday night as part of Jennifer's birthday weekend celebration, we watched the movie, Serendipity. It was a total chick flick. It was Jennifer's birthday, so she got to choose. Anyway, the movie was a love story based on the idea that if it was fate for two soul mates to be together, then in the end, they eventually would. So, they left it to chance that fate would bring them back together. If you haven't seen the movie, you can probably figure out the ending.

What do you think about fate? Or more appropriately, what do you think about God's sovereignty? Was it luck or God's will that I ended up with the #1 pick in last night's 11-12 year old boys baseball draft? If you know anything about baseball drafts, this does not mean that I had the first overall pick. Joelan and Austin McGugan, my assistant coach's son, were rated as our first and second round picks, so I actually had the first pick in the 3rd round (and 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th). Enough about draft formats. The best scenario that could have worked out for me did. Although, since I had the first pick in the draft, I was the last to get to choose a team name. Fortunately, no one picked LSU (very surprising), so our team will be once again wearing the purple and gold. Was it fate that our team name is LSU or was that my choice?

So, was it luck that I received the #1 pick (I also had the #1 pick in the 9-10 year old girls softball draft.)? Or was it God's will? Is it only by chance who the 22 boys and girls are on my ball teams this Spring or is it God's will? Did I choose them to be an LSU Tiger or a Lime Green (no nickname yet and don't ask how I got roped into lime green...apparently lime green is the hot new color this Spring), or was it fate for them to be on my teams?

Here are a few Bible verses for you to ponder:

"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts 17:26-27

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." Romans 8:28-29

Monday morning weigh in: 202.5 pounds (those two chili cheese dogs at 8:30 last night after our Men's Small Group did not help the cause)