I’m fascinated with stories of “chance encounters.” History is full of them. And so is your life. Ever made a left turn when you should’ve gone right? Maybe you knocked on the wrong door or stood in a long line only to discover thirty minutes later you were in the wrong line?



We don’t usually see these as life-changing encounters. But they could be. James Chadwick stood in the wrong line—and science is glad he did. James was only sixteen when he enrolled at Manchester University. This young upstart had his eye on studying mathematics—until he got in the wrong line.



Chadwick got in line to register for mathematics, but it turns out he was registering for physics. He decided to stay enrolled because he liked the professor he talked with, Dr. Ernest Rutherford. This wrong line and chance encounter led to a lifelong friendship and partnership. Was that a big deal? It turns out that Rutherford, who mapped out the atom, instilled in Chadwick a love for physics. Chadwick went on to discover the neutron, and he became a pioneer in nuclear science.



All because of the mistake of getting in the wrong line. I’m not saying that every mistake or wrong turn in your life is divinely ordained by God. But since you’re there, look around. God may want to use you in that situation.



We sometimes wonder if God writes us off when wemake bad or sinful decisions. But Moses shows usthat God can use the mess we make of things torefine us if we let Him.”



Just don’t assume your mistake is just that: a mistake. That mistake could be an opportunity. We sometimes wonder if God writes us off when we make bad or sinful decisions. But Moses shows us that God can use the mess we make of things to refine us if we let Him.