Things Happen for a Reason

A few months ago at a local chain restaurant, we had a delightful, engaging conversation with our waitress.  We shared tidbits of our personal lives, and eventually the conversation led to “Well, things happen for a reason.”  So I asked, “Do you believe that things happen because of something supernatural, because of God?”

“I don’t know, … yeah?,” was her answer.

Too much of pop culture today uses this cliché:  “things happen for a reason.”  Perhaps this sentiment evoled from the once popular “shit happens.”  The majority of people we meet believe that “things happen,” and the reason is fate, somehow implying “God” was involved.  Especially in drug subcultures has this been adapted for every circumstance in their lives.  "Things happen" and, regardless what, it's normal.  The supernatural control they lack allows “things” to happen as if it was "meant to be."  Many people just accept whatever happens as God’s plan for their lives - good or bad.

WAIT … wait … oh, hell nawh … 

Never accept “whatever happens” as merely our uncontrollable fate.  Addicts, prostitutes, and deceivers "happen" because God "made them" that way?!!!  Rather we must realize and acknowledge that “things happen” almost always because of choices we make, absent from Him.  “Things happen,” and more often than not, the reason has absolutely nothing to do with God’s intervention.  He was never involved in the plans we made; thus it was not the “fate” He planned.  “Shit happens” because we most often choose it.

“For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk  and live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery; their god is their appetites and their sensuality; and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party.” – Philippians 3:18-19

“This is the fate of those who trust in themselves; and of their followers, who approve their sayings.  They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd

. . . but the upright will prevail over them in the morning.” – Psalm 49:13-14

ONLY those that walk and live upright – the “righteous” – are those that can claim that God controls their fate.  God promises when we trust Him – when we “know, recognize, and acknowledge” His ways, FIRST – He is then in control of our fate.  This promise applies to both “things” that happen in this life, and what happens to us in the next.  

^“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him; and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” – Psalm 37:23-24

“Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.” – Nehemiah 9:19

Yet it’s still not about being perfectly righteous and making perfect choices.  God always keeps His promises.  Even when we stumble His promise is to “make firm” our steps and to give a helping hand.  What an awesome promise.  He can be the reason “things happen,” but only when we choose Him – even when we fail!!  During the mass exodus of Hebrews leaving Egypt, God directed the paths of millions of people for decades with a cloud by day, and fire at night.  Both our physical fate, and supernatural things that happen, has God's intervention.  We must completely abandon our plans and how we understand things; then learn His ways.  Then by His Holy Spirit; our paths – even the desires and thoughts of our heart – become the destiny He planned for us.

Suggest further reading:  Proverbs 16 and Psalm 37

Listen to these lyrics and consider what the Scriptures above means to your life.  Are you free to choose?

A prayer based on Psalm 119: 

Dearest Heavenly Father, look upon me, be merciful unto me, and show me favor, as is Your promise to those who love Your name and call out to You.  Establish my steps and direct them by means of Your word; let not any of my guilt, shame, or sin have control over me.  Teach me Your ways so I can know which way to go.  Deliver me from the oppression of man; so I will continue to hear, to receive, to love, and to obey Your Word and to know You.  Thank you for Your promise to be the reason things happen – in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.