"Coincidence: the occurrence of events that happen at the same time but seem to have some connection." -- Webster's Dictionary.
I believe that many of the things we call coincidences aren't coincidences but, are the work of God. I know that coincidences occur in community "when two or three are gathered together."
I frequently hear about a "coincidence." It typically occurs when the storyteller was out on a variety of errands and suddenly met someone they knew but, hadn't seen in awhile.
The storyteller says: "You'll never guess who I just saw at the store. By coincidence I ran into Jane Doe. We had the best conversation. She said she was having a tough time." Details follow and sometimes there is a request for prayers.
In the Bible there are many stories of how God called people into a community in support of one another in both the good times and the bad.
Dietrich Bonhoffer, wrote in Life Together, "Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this. Whether it is a brief, single encounter or daily fellowship of years, Christian community is only this. We belong to one another ...."
Down through the ages, the work of successful communities has been predominately accomplished by volunteers. There are paid ministers, but as we read in scripture, there is also a "priesthood of all believers."
St. Paul called these men and women the saints. Every community needs saints each and every day. Everyone is needed and important especially as the world around us becomes more and more diversified and complex. "We need all hands on deck."
My generation used as its mantra John F. Kennedy's inauguration speech, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask, what you can do for your country." What followed was a whole series of basically volunteer opportunities such as The Peace Corps. There was a clearer sense that we belonged to one another and in that belonging was a responsibility to our community and our country.
Bella Vista is a very attractive place to live but, we are plagued by what is plaguing all of America -- the lack of volunteers. The solution is rather simple but, it requires us to give up some of our most precious thing -- our time -- for the strengthening of our community.
We must open up our eyes and see those God has brought to us. We must wholeheartedly accept that we have been chosen to belong to one another and that is no coincidence.
There isn't an organization that doesn't need more volunteers. Ask what you can do at Cooper Elementary School, the Courtesy Van, Helping Hands, The Northwest Arkansas Women's Shelter Thrift Store, the Library, The Children's Shelter, etc.
By coincidence you may find your new best friend as you work shoulder-to-shoulder to understand and respond together our beloved communities needs. Be a Bella Vista saint.
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Parks is rector of St. Theodore Episcopal Church in Bella Vista. He can be reached by email to [email protected].
Religion on 01/21/2015