Did God Send the Rabbit?
Recently, my wife lost a childhood friend in a tragic house fire. Her friend was known for a deep love of animals, especially rabbits. After learning of the death, my wife spoke with a mutual acquaintance who shared that just days after the friend's passing, she had seen a rabbit in an unusual place and moment. In reflecting upon the event, she asked my wife, "Do you think God sent the rabbit? Was this a sign from God that our friend is with Him?" This type of question is not uncommon. Many Christians, especially in times of grief or uncertainty, look for signs that God is near or speaking to them. How should we think about such experiences? How can we distinguish between a genuine sign from God versus our own subjective interpretation or mere coincidences?
To begin, God can and does communicate through providential events. God is always at work in His creation, governing all things according to His will (Eph. 1:11; Rom. 8:28). This is known as general providence: God’s continuous care and governance over every detail, from sparrows falling (Matt. 10:29) to the rising and setting of the sun (Ps. 104). However, a distinction must be made between God’s general providence and special revelation. Special revelation refers to God’s direct communication of truth through Scripture, and ultimately in the person of Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-2). Providence includes the ordinary (and sometimes extraordinary) events of life through which God may comfort, guide or awaken us to His presence, but not in ways that override or add to Scripture.
This is where humility and wisdom are crucial. God’s word is the norming norm; the final authority. All subjective experiences must be interpreted through it (2 Tim. 3:16-17). To discern a sign rightly, we should ask ourselves whether the sign aligns with Scripture, as God will never contradict His revealed Word. We should consider the fruit: Does the “sign” lead to deeper trust in God? Repentance? Love for others? A sense of comfort grounded in the Gospel? We should avoid superstition, which can lead to spiritual confusion or misinterpretation. We should seek wisdom in our community of faithful believers. Here, our brothers and sisters in Christ may aid us in discerning matters of faith and providence.
All of this is well and good, as we know that authoritative signs must be grounded in Scripture, the interpretation of which requires wisdom, humility and discernment. But, we still want to know if God sent the rabbit, because we want to believe He did. What underlies this longing, and what we really want to know is that God is there; that He’s present; that He feels our grief; that He knows our tears; and that He cares. And with that, there can be no doubt.
The cross is the ultimate proof that God sees us, knows us, and loves us, even at our worst and in our deepest pain (Rom. 5:8). We do not need to guess whether God loves us. He has already proven it in the most costly way imaginable. Jesus entered into our suffering. He cried at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:35). Sorrow is not something we avoid to be close to God; in fact, that’s where He meets us. We worship the Risen Lord who became one of us; hurt like us; was tempted like us; bled like us; and died like us. God, in His providence, upholds, directs and governs all things. This is not cold control; it is a Father’s loving care, even when we cannot see the full picture (Psalm 23:4). Remember David’s words: “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle,” (Ps 56:8), for, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Ps. 34:18). These are not mere poetic sentiments, but theological declarations: God notices; He is near.
So, did God send the rabbit? In His providence, perhaps. But more importantly, He has already sent His Son—and, in Him, we have all the comfort and assurance we truly need. The most important thing is that we know God loves us, cares for us, and is present with us because He has told us so – in His word, by His Spirit, and through the cross of His Son. That is the anchor of our hope, especially in sadness. And because of that hope, even in our grief, we are never alone.
In Christ,
Mort Taylor