In law enforcement, vehicle maintenance is a high priority. We drive patrol cars hundreds of miles per week, so the oil must be changed on time and regularly. Failure to do so is frowned upon, to say the least. We were required to get the oil changed every 3000 miles. That meant we kept a close eye on our mileage. 

One night, I heard one of the other patrol cars call out “10-39” (Stopping a vehicle) on the radio. He gave his location as “Express Oil Change on 15th Street.” When I heard that, I instinctively looked up at the oil change sticker on the windshield. It read, “Next Oil Change: 38,794.” Then I looked down at my odometer and saw that it was turning to 38,794…at that very moment. That was a little too coincidental to be coincidental. That reminder kept me from going over on my maintenance and probably getting a write-up.

So, was that God looking out for me, or was it just a coincidence? I have more stories just like that. The better question is, does God care about the small details of our lives, or is He too busy with the big stuff? 

I don’t buy the claim that God is only concerned with the big issues and not about the minutia of my life. That implies He is too weak to do both. The Bible says God is “intimately acquainted with all my ways.” It continues, “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.” (Psalm 139)

God is powerful enough to create the stars. He is also intimate enough to name them… all of them. “Raise your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, The One who brings out their multitude by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26) 

Scientists say there are more stars in the heavens than there are grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. If God can remember the names of each of them, He can more than comprehend and respond to all of my needs, big and small. 

God is a powerful creator.  He is also a loving Father who, despite what occurs in the world around us, cares about the joy of our heart, the peace of our mind, and the rest of our soul. “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)