Do you feel like everything happens for a reason? According to a research study , 78% of individuals would answer “Yes” to this question. Imagine my utter astonishment when I discovered that I fit into the popular crowd, at least on this matter. Truly, it was a spit-your-latte kind of moment, dashing my hopes of being the eccentric, feather-boa-wearing lady all the little kids laugh at. Then I had to be honest and think back to a time when someone had said this phrase to me and it felt like needles being pushed into my heart. I remember thinking “How rude!” So, back in my comfortable position—feathers primed—I found myself in a conundrum.
In both agreement and disagreement with this sentiment, I believe what it boils down to is empathic math. Empathic math is a feeling equation that will look something like considering the individual being affected, their personal feelings and beliefs, removing my personal feelings and beliefs, considering a positive communal effect or outcome, adding in Jesus’s love and desire for his people, bringing to focus the plan of salvation from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While I do believe that everything happens for a reason, I also don’t think it is appropriate to express this sentiment to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one, just found out their child is going to be battling a terminal illness, or witnessed a catastrophic event. I think sometimes, as Christians, in our certainty of a Heavenly Father who is in control and soon coming, we may lose our humility in our knowledge of the plight of humanity. One individual may explain that they believe God stopped their sliding car and their life was saved from hitting a large tree. On the other hand a mother who watched her beautiful 12-year-old child’s light fade from cancer is left wondering, “Why?” So how can the idea that everything happens for a reason be true?
Purpose and divine appointments are my answer. The first person in the previous scenario was not yet in a place of faith where their salvation was sure. Their purpose was not yet fulfilled, and they had divine appointments that were still to be met. The mother’s child was already walking with Christ; there was not one person who came into contact with that child who could speak of anything other than the pure joy of being in the presence of the child, what light they were to others, and how medical research that the child participated in opened a medical discovery that would then save thousands of other lives. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Are we always privy to the reasoning of God? No, but because we have faith, we can have peace.
While some may be of the mind that this sentiment is more of an antidote to avoid difficult discussions or questions, I would strongly disagree. If anything, it would be my idea that this sentiment opens up and causes us to reason more, bringing us closer to the mercy of our Creator. For when you walk in purpose, do you not see purpose? When we surrender ourselves to God’s perfect timing, walking the path He has planned for us, coupled with the knowledge of the Holy Spirit as our ever-present and perfect guide. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Is not every moment of our life a planned opportunity by God to fulfill his purpose in uplifting and helping each other overcome the tyranny of the adversary?
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.