I have a few thoughts on this saying for what they are
worth. "Everything happens for a reason" is a statement begging for
clarification. What is meant by "everything?" What is meant by
"happens?" What is meant by "for a reason?"
We could go into a lengthy discussion about these terms
and their implied versus actual meanings.
I will avoid that for now. Suffice
it to say, I do believe the statement is factually correct. Everything does happen for a reason. Every effect is the result of some
cause. And those effects ripple through
generations all the way down through history.
So when things happen, good or bad, they do originate somewhere. Study chaos theory and the “butterfly effect”
for further comprehension of this concept.
I believe that when good things happen they are the
result of some inherent good woven into the fabric of Creation by the Creator
or by good choices that are made by the creatures He designed. So when the weather is perfect and the
flowers are beautiful and the creatures are full of joy this stems from the
goodness of God woven into the fabric of His design. When one human reaches out in humble service to
another creature, they are intentionally or unintentionally reflecting the
goodness of the One whose image they bear.
When bad things happen they are the result of the
corruption of the Fall of Mankind through sin.
This is true of ALL bad things. Before
the choice to sin, the nature of man was never corrupt. Before the choice to sin there was no
possibility of death. Before the choice
to sin there was no pain or sickness. Before
the choice to sin there was no destruction or decay. Before the choice to sin even nature itself
was in perfect balance with no storms or earthquakes or volcanoes or any other
destructive force. So before the choice
to sin there was no disease, there were no hurricanes, and there was no corruption, harm, or suffering.
Conclusively then, one can truthfully say, “everything
happens for a reason.” It does: good or bad it does result from the good or bad
in the universe one way or another. The
problem is that I don’t think this is the rationale behind the statement when
people make it. What I think people mean
when they say it is this: “All the bad stuff in life happens for reasons I can’t
understand or explain but I choose to irrationally believe even bad stuff
somehow has a meaningful purpose that will work out somehow in the end.” The problem is that this is untrue and
unbiblical.
The Bible is clear that we live in a world shattered by
sinfulness. Every horrible thing we
experience in one way or another is a rippling consequence from that first sin
compounded by the sins of us all.
Without some spectacular intervention from outside our vicious spiral
into destruction and despair, utter doom is the only reasonable expectation. That is what is glorious about our God. He is the Great Interposer. He alone has the power, authority, and
ability to change the trajectory of devastation. The key is that we must permit Him to do
so. This is why Romans 8:28 is so
specific: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
God makes no promise that He will turn the circumstances
of wicked people into good – though He reserves the right to do so. He only promises that He can turn to good all
the circumstances of those who love Him and are the called according to HIS
purpose (study this verse in context for all the theological implications). Notice he does not promise to remove the
possibility of bad things affecting His children. He only promises to work ALL things for good
to them. This makes me rejoice to know
that in the midst of a world shattered by sin and suffering, if I place my
trust in Him, He alone can take the bad things and use them for our good and
His glory.
Practically, this means that hurricanes will come but in
the aftermath we can stand in awe of Providence that both spoils and
spares. We can discover His grace and learn
about His judgment. We can observe His
power, and see His mercy. We can see the
destruction and encounter rescue, rebirth, redemption, and restoration.
Practically, this means that harm may happen but God
can use it to teach us valuable lessons about life and maybe open new
opportunities for growth, joy, and future strength amid even greater storms. It means a new opportunity to learn new
things about Him and about ourselves and about how those perceptions influence
who we are in the world.
Sometimes, though, we may never know the full scope of
good that God will bring until eternity.
This is where it is hardest: when we must trust what we cannot see –
which is the essence of faith (Hebrews 11:1 & 6).
Therefore:
Everything happens for a reason = Every effect is the
result of some cause.
Everything happens for a reason ≠ God will unconditionally
and mysteriously work every little detail of my life out for some higher purpose
that is somehow good for me.
Ultimately, we must surrender every facet of ourselves
and every detail of our lives to His good hand.
When we do this – accepting His free gifts of grace, salvation, and
sanctification – we abandon ourselves into the mighty hands of Providence Who
is unfathomably all GOOD all the time without any exception ever. Whatever may come in life, I am willing to
place my trust in Him.
And those are my thoughts…for whatever they are worth. :0)
