It's interesting for me to write this blog on the topic "Everything Happens for a Reason." You see... I already wrote this blog about a month ago. It was long, it was incredibly honest, it was deleted! ha ha Not by me... it was a cyber glitch. After I wrote it all out, I was unable to save or upload it. Instead of trying to rewrite it that night, I set it aside for a while. Now that I am finally revisiting the topic, I am looking at it through a much more optimistic lens. So, maybe everything DOES happen for a reason?! Let's discuss...
A popular quote, often restated by females, put on their facebook: quotes, statuses... you get my drift. I will admit that I even, at one vulnerable time in my life, have used this quote for some reassurance. Here is where my thinking veered to the more pessimistic side of the spectrum in my first blog. We've all been there before... your boyfriend dumps you. You're upset and turn to your friends for support. They are quick to preach, "He wasn't good enough for you. Everything happens for a reason... someone better is going to come along!" You have a job interview for a position that you want more than anything! You don't get it. In your bummed state, you reaffirm yourself that it wasn't in the cards for you. There is a better job around the corner that's the perfect fit for you!
The past two years have been a couple of the most difficult years to date for me. I've had countless moments where I wondered... "Why is this happening?!" And a close friend or family member would assure me that everything happens for a reason! As things kept happening "for a reason" I remember getting frustrated at never knowing what that reason was. As we all know... amidst a challenging time in our life, we can never make sense of what's going on or why. But take a moment to think back to a challenging situation you conquered, something that life has moved far beyond. You can slowly piece together things that have stemmed from that situation and appreciate its occurrence.
However, I've been contemplating for a while now... are better things really appearing around the corner after difficult situations, or are we just making it up to keep our hope? When we don't get our dream job, do we REALLY believe something better is coming along or do we convince ourself that is so that we can keep pressing on? Do we look back on a crappy time in our life and make sense of the spiderweb that came after it - pointing out all the wonderful things that would have never happened if we didn't trudge through that hardship - because it's true or because we want it to be true?! I'm not saying I necessarily think this way... maybe sometimes! I'm just thinking out loud.
Recently, I've rediscovered my optimistic lens on this topic. I am thankful to have encountered Buckhead Church. I wasn't raised religious (I think I found my next blog topic!) but Buckhead had found a very special place in my heart making me think about life in a whole new perspective and always strive to be a better person than I was yesterday. The current topic talks about our "Game Plan" what's our purpose in life. It couldn't have come at a better time for where I'm at in life. But Andy Stanley said something that I think correlates with this topic perfectly. He said, "God uses a string of opportunities to show you his plan; you can't see in the moment the benefit of your current position." I don't think anything could explain Everything Happens for a Reason any better than that!! There is a plan for us all... and sometimes we have to endure some of the most difficult obstacles. Some years we are on a high, but that doesn't mean you're obstacle free. It's all in His Game Plan for your life.
So I have a new stance on this little overused saying... Yes, things may happen for a reason. But I'm done trying to figure out what that reason is! I'm not going to fight that plan that has been in place for me. Instead, I'm going to do my best to enjoy the journey and learn the lessons I need along the way.
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