Does everything in life happen for a purpose? Are there accidents or coincidences? What about living for God or not? Does the God-fearing Christian live a life of purpose? Is the unbeliever’s life just a serious of coincidences? What about fate? Or karma? Does life have a destiny?
Purpose: the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists
Reason: a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event
Accident: (1) an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury. (2) an event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause
Coincidence: a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection
Fate: the development of events beyond a person’s control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power
Karma: destiny or fate, following as effect from cause (Hindu in origin)
What does the Bible have to say about each of these?
“For everything there is a season (an appointed occasion) and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is plated; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” II Chronicles 16:9
“The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.” Psalm 34:15
“For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD and he ponders all his paths.” Proverbs 5:21
“The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge…” Proverbs 22:12
“Behold the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom…” Amos 9:8
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139: 7-12, 16
The Bible tell su often that God’s eyes are in every place seeing everything at all times. There’s nothing that can happen in our life that catches Him by surprise.
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8”
“And He said to me, it is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of water of life freely.” Revelation 21:6
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:13
The Bible also teaches us that God is timeless; He is not limited by time as we are. Humans are linear which means progressing from one stage to another in a single series of steps; sequential. God is not linear. He fills all time and space at the same time. He exists outside of time. Time exists in Him. We are bound by time.
“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” I Peter 1:19-20
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8
So, if God is everywhere all the time and sees everything, nothing is hidden from Him. And, He’s just as present with us now as He was a the beginning of creation; can we honestly believe in accidents? Personally, I believe everything has purpose, even when I don’t like what is happening and it would be easier to think it’s just an accident or coincidence. Over the past few years of growing deeper in the Spirit, I’ve come to see everything as the hand of God in my life. Paul’s life, I believe, is a great example of purpose with no accidents.
“But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Acts 9:15-16
“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” II Corinthians 11:23-27, 30
“it is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. II Corinthians 12:1
This portion of scripture began to stand out to me a few years ago when I was considering all this “deep” stuff of purpose, coincidence, free will choice, etc. At any given point those hardships Paul endured could have killed him. In fact, many times that was the intent of the beating or stoning. They wanted him dead. But, God didn’t. Paul had a job to fulfill, and no attempt of man or devil was going to thwart God’s plan. Not only that, we see by the continuation in chapter 12 that Paul says that in sufferings he received visions and revelations of the Lord and that there were still more to come. I believe that’s key: they way we view our circumstances. Paul recognized and knew when his true time was up.
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (could also be read career), I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:6-7
How do we view our circumstances? Did some accident happen and now we have no job? Really? Why not look at it as God no longer wants you at that job? Or was it some cool coincidence that we met someone in the airport and chatted with them? Why not look at it as God connecting you with a stranger on purpose? As quickly as possible, ask Jesus to help you understand the purpose of the meeting.
At this juncture, I must address the topic of abuse, violence, and other horrific things that happen to us. I will not pretend to know the answer to these difficult questions. However, I do know there is always something we can learn from any experience, even devasting ones. Even suffering wrong by the hands of evil intent can build and develop positive things in the victim. It still comes down to how we view the circumstance. We can run to the arms of a heavenly Father for love, comfort, peace and answers. Or we can point fingers, yell, scream, and accuse Him. The first choice will bring about healing and wholeness. The second choice will lead to even more hurt.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when I comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” I Peter 4:12-13
This is such a great reminder that when living for God, there’s no accidents. He holds us in His hands. He is teaching us here NOT to be surprised by the fiery trial. Honestly, it was sent BY Him. Instead of being caught off guard and perhaps reacting unfavorably to the situation, we should begin to immediately acknowledge God at work in our lives and ask Him about it. Honestly, I don’t believe the first reaction should be “God deliver me from this!” I’m beginning to learn and practice quickly saying, “what is it you’d have me learn here Jesus?”
“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.” Psalm 119:71 (emphasis mine)
Can you believe that? Good for me to be afflicted? Absolutely! To what end? THAT I MIGHT LEARN HIS WAYS!
“See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.” Deuteronomy 32:39
This may be harsh for some, but honestly brings me such peace and assurance. God is no fickle like man. If He said it, He absolutely will do it. The Word of the Lord proves true. Not only that, God is love. He is good. He is always good. If He wounds, it’s for good.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
I trust that God is good. I trust that God loves me. I trust He sees my ending as clearly as my beginning. I trust my days are numbered according to His Purpose. There really is so much safety and security in that. Honestly, what can man or devil do to me without God’s permission. And if He grants permission, it’s for a purpose. SEEK OUT HIS PURPOSE!
(For further reading and consideration: The book of Esther. For such a time is this.)