Does everything happen for a reason?
It’s something people say, I think, to make others (or themselves) feel better. But is it true? Or is it just a saying?
We’re told to learn from life’s lessons and make lemonade out of lemons. But on the other hand– it’s kind of hard to really believe it. Especially for those who have gone through unimaginable circumstances.
In Montgomery, I chose to go to a very small-intimate church. I stumbled upon it by chance, it was literally two seconds from my first apartment. So I went in and found an unapologetic southern Baptist preacher. I decided this would be my home church for the time being.
Once, during a sermon, the pastor said he can’t stand the phrase ‘everything happens for a reason.’ He said – try telling that to a woman who has to bury her child. Instead he said, sometimes life just doesn’t make sense, isn't fair, and some things just don’t happen for any reason at all.
That’s where faith comes into play – that there’s purpose and meaning beyond this world.
Recently, I heard another pastor say quite the opposite. Of course things happen for a reason. There is a season for everything. Right? So now, I'm on the fence.
Ecclesiastes 3
3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What do you guys think? I would love to hear your thoughts.