Finding Meaning in Otherwise Random Events

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
Acts 25	Acts 26	Acts 27	Acts 28	Genesis 37	Genesis 38	Psalms 16, Proverbs 6

Understanding comes from the Lord. Events in life that appear to be random and make no sense take on meaning when seen through eyes to which the Lord has given sight. Such sight is available to all, but not all seek it, for it comes by seeking the Lord and He is not sought by all.

The last several chapters of Acts give an account of the apostle Paul traveling to Jerusalem because he felt compelled by God to do so. In Jerusalem he was accused by the Jews and because of the commotion taken into custody by the Roman authorities. The ensuing course of events eventually took him to Caesarea for further trial and finally to Rome to be heard by Caesar. On the surface these appear to be a series of unfortunate and unfair events for Paul that kept him unjustly incarcerated for the last several years of his life. But Paul saw them through the Lord's eyes and knew them to be serving the His purpose, a purpose for which He had committed himself to serve. And so he finished out his life with purpose rather than defeated by life's circumstances.

Chapters 37 & 38 of Genesis pick up events in the life of Joseph, son of Israel (Jacob), events in which his brothers hated him so much they descided to harm him. In the end, rather than killing him as they considered, they sold him to traders who took him to Egypt and sold him as a slave. Continued reading in subsequent chapters will take him through a series of further trials until he comes to the purpose God had for him. It then becomes evident that these supposedly random and unjust events in Joseph's life did have purpose. Significant purpose. Purpose which continues to be recognized centuries later. But that purpose is only understood when seen with the sight that comes only from God. Apart from Him they are indeed random and unjust events which can bring dispair and misery.

The question becomes, then, how many events in our lives has God set in motion for a purpose that we saw only as random and unmeaningful events? Maybe even as unjust events? Life can only be properly understood when seen through God's eyes and to do so we must pursue Him and the wisdom He gives.