There is a “Why” behind the “What”. This came to me yesterday as my daughter and I were driving along, talking about a difficult season in my life. I told her I was grateful for the season. She asked why? She added, “Well, you had the Holy Ghost, otherwise…” We laughed about it as I reminded her my behavior wasn’t always “Christ-like” and when I was wrong, I had to go back and apologize. Yes, I encountered numerous opportunities to learn and grow in the Lord.
Although our conversation turned toward the happenings of the day, my heart remained in a posture of gratitude, and that’s when the thought “There is a Why behind the What” rose up in my heart.
Why? It’s a question that often arises when life hands us hard times and we’re attempting to digest a series of events that often leave us wondering why. We know what happened. The marriage failed, the dream home we worked so hard for fell through, a phone call delivered news we prayed we’d never hear – dreams and promises viciously stripped from once faith-filled, joyous, expectantly hopeful hearts. Yes, we know what, but soon the question of “why” can take center stage.
We get a glimpse of this in one of my favorite scriptures, the account of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Mary and Martha expressed “what happened” from their viewpoint: If you’d been here, Jesus, Lazarus wouldn’t have died. They didn’t understand “why” until after Lazarus walked out of the tomb, bound with the grave clothes he no longer needed. Oh, it was glorious afterward, but the days of not understanding “the why behind the what” were excruciating to say the least.
Consider our dear friend Joseph. He knew what landed him a seat in a prison cell for a crime he didn’t commit. Frustrated by circumstances beyond his control, he thought he’d found a potential way out by asking the butler to remember him as he left the prison to resume serving Pharaoh.
He sat for an additional two years before the Lord caused a chain of events that brought him before Pharaoh as a prisoner. By the end of the day, he’d become the 2nd most powerful man in the nation, next to Pharaoh.
Although life instantly took an incredible turn for the better, Joseph wouldn’t understand the “why” behind everything until nine years later, when he’d reunite with his brothers. After the shocking reunion, Joseph spoke to his family from a heart filled with gratitude and peace for his God-given understanding regarding his brothers’ role in his life’s journey. He explained that God sent him before them to preserve life, and it wasn’t them that sent him there, but God!
Seventeen years later, Israel, Joseph’s father, dies. His brothers once again fear that Joseph is going to render retribution for their actions now that their father is gone. But Joseph reassures them once again by reminding them about “why.” He stated, “You thought evil against me; but God, meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
Whenever God allows/causes a “what” moment, hour, day, year, season, etc., there is also a God-set “why.” Whether we are given the blessing of understanding the “why” behind the “what” or not, the Lord always has a purpose attached to what we go through! That purpose is often revealed by the why.
People may intend on destroying your hopes, dreams, plans, purpose, placement, etc., but they can’t derail God’s purpose for you! He will allow them to do so much, but they can’t change God’s why in your life. We can point to “what” and may be confused about the “why” – but every aspect of our lives is orchestrated by the Lord and His “why” will always exceed the “what” and you’ll be able to say like Joseph, you thought evil against me, but God!
15 And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. Genesis 50:15-21 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)