Lesson 31: God does not control our free will.
You've heard the phrase, "Everything happens for a reason."
This is a common phrase many Christians use as a comforting mechanism when life isn't going so well, and sometimes even when life is great. "This person broke up with you? Well, don't worry! Everything happens for a reason, you'll find someone else." and then years later they'll say, "See! now you're with this person who is way better. Everything happens for a reason!"
There are so many more scenarios in which people use this phrase: divorce, unemployment, rejection, etc. The older I get and more I go through, the less I am compelled to believe this. In fact, I would say I'm at a point in life where I don't believe that anymore. Let me explain:
Does God control our free will? To me, the obvious answer is no. Therefore, not everything could possibly happen for a reason! If it did, then God would be intervening in every single situation in our lives (which would take away free will). Now, this isn't to say that God doesn't intervene. He most certainly does! He is the God who cures cancer, restores families, and is our ultimate redeemer. I would say things like that most certainly happen for a reason. Those are things that God is healing and health is what God intended from the beginning.
But did God intend for death? Divorce? Rape? Murder? Of course not! God did not intend or want that poor little girl/boy to feel alone as her parents fought or for the girl/boy to get raped. He wouldn't be loving if those things happened for a reason. Now, can God create positive things from those horrible experiences and events? Absolutely! God can do anything, including redeeming those situations and giving peace to those who have experienced hurt and sin.
Hope I was able to express my belief correctly. Who knows, maybe it will change in time. But I felt the need to share and it's been so long since I've written. I love Jesus, and He accepts us as His children even if we don't understand everything.
I love you Abba.
~Alyssa
