There is an old story handed down from the country of Serendip (present day Sri Lanka). In this story, there were three princes who traveled the country and quite by accident would discover amazing and unexpected things. In 1754, after discovering these stories, Horace Walpole coined the word, "Serendipity". The basic understanding of this word that I prefer would be: "The art of finding what you're not looking for."
As I thought about this understanding of the word, I thought of how much of our Christian life is a "serendipity". How many things do we find unexpectedly which turn out to amaze us. I think that is why we sing songs like, "Amazing Grace", or "I Stand Amazed in the Presence" or "What Wondrous Love".
Our journey through life with Christ, the creator and sustainer of the universe is amazing, especially when you consider His sacrifice for us and His fellowship with us. I can hardly read any section of scripture that I don't find some new understanding, run across some tidbit that I've somehow over looked in the past or suddenly awaken to a new insight. Christianity is never boring, it is always amazing, always a "serendipity".
This has always been the effect that Jesus has had upon people. In Matthew 7:28 we are told that people were amazed at His teachings and the authority He exhibited. In Mark 10:24 we see that His disciples were amazed at his teaching. He revealed hidden treasures unexpectedly then - just as He does now.
The question is, "What we do with the treasure?". How do we deal with the serendipity of life in Christ? The scriptures don't leave us hanging on that on that point, but give us some instructions concerning how to deal with these unexpected treasures.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
May your life be a continual, amazing serendipity!
- russ lawson
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