In 1754, Sir Horace Walpole coined the word "serendipity" from a Persian fairy tale.

Each time the three princes of Serendip went on a journey something unexpected happened. Quite by coincidence they found valuable things they were not seeking.

The late J. Wallace Hamilton spent twenty-five years researching the fascinating topic of serendipity. He found the subject of medicine filled with serendipities — Pasteur’s “accidental” discovery of pasteurization, for one. In science, astronomy, psychology, and industry many exciting discoveries have been made and are constantly being made while persons are earnestly seeking something else.

As we consult the dictionary definitions of the word “serendipity,” we gain a greater understanding and appreciation of its meaning.

A few of these definitions are: “The ability of finding valuable things unexpectedly;” “The gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for;” “The faculty of making desirable but unsought for discoveries by accident;” “An apparent aptitude for making fortunate discoveries accidentally.”

We can see serendipity in action as we live in the realm of the mind and spirit. In fact, it was Jesus who gave to us the greatest of all serendipities, “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Two modern English translations of this verse make it alive with greater meaning: “Set your heart on His kingdom and His goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.” “The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given you.”

Dr. J. Wallace Hamilton wrote, “To seek first the Kingdom of God, was our Lord’s great formula for life. If we, the inhabitants of this small satellite planet, ever really give ourselves to this pursuit — the Kingdom of God — and bring to it the same dedication we bring to atoms and spaceships, we shall be prepared to live in the space age and perform a new work in the world.”

So many of the unexpected blessings that come to us in living are in direct proportion to our "seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness." May we be challenged to follow this "serendipity" approach to living and encourage others to join us.