"How did that happen?" Have you noticed how often that question falls from peoples' mouths in the midst of unexpected events?

In the media broadcast following the recent death of Michael Jackson, one question that riveted viewers to the television screen was "How did it happen?" What caused the death of this popular entertainer? The same question arises in the aftermath of airplane crashes and car wrecks.

Why is this question asked? Much of cultural teaching is that the earth and everything on it came into existence over millions and millions of years by chance. Events on the earth happen by chance. Sometimes belief in chance occurrences is seen in the usage of "lucky" when events go our way. Yet that very word can also reflect a belief in order, although a strange one, when one believes that the possession of a rabbit's foot, coin, or some other item can bring the owner "good luck". This belief manifests order in life in that good events happen because one carries the perceived cause of those good events.

Man's ultimate belief in order, in spite of evolutionary teaching to the contrary, should not be surprising. Man is made in God's image. Deep down within individuals there is recognition of order in the universe. This recognition exists because the triune God Who causes order in all life has placed knowledge within humanity. To ask "How did that happen?" or a similar question is not only to express a desire for greater knowledge, it is also a reflection, intended or not, of our being made in God's image.

Scripture clearly teaches that God has a purpose for every event that occurs. The clouds move purposefully where He commands them to go. Rain falls not by chance but with purpose. Note these verses from Job 37:10-12: "By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen. Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds, and they swirl about, being turned by His guidance that they may do whatever He commands them on the face of the whole earth."

In Jonah 1:4 we read that God sent a great wind upon the Mediterranean Sea. There may have been sailors on other ships on that body of water that had to ride out the seemingly sudden storm. They may well have asked, "How did the storm arise so quickly?" Readers of the book know why. God is getting the disobedient prophet's attention. God moved clouds and pressure systems in an orderly manner and for a specific purpose. In John 9 the disciples asked Jesus for the reason that the man they saw was born blind. The disciples believed false causes of the blindness; however they realized there was a cause and a purpose. Jesus quickly told them the purpose.

In our troubling times we are tempted to think that events are out of control. They are not. God is ruling and overruling in all financial markets, in Washington D.C., in every world capital, and in every life. This should be a great comfort for the Christian. Romans 8:28 reminds us that everything works out for good in the lives of Christians.

I have mentioned the above examples because they are accompanied by the reason those particular events happened. There are many events that occur that we do not know why they occurred, but we can be assured they happened neither by chance, nor by luck. They were foreordained by an all-wise, sovereign God. We also reflect God being a God of order when we seek to maintain schedules or return items to their place in our homes. We are easily frustrated when God interrupts our life with seeming disorder but in actuality it is another order or reordering of our lives. We must remember in such times of unexpected events such as sickness, accidents, or some other trial that our orderly God is at work for our good. We are not Lord of our lives. He is and He does all things well.

It can quickly become an aggravation for our children to ask "why?" to almost everything we say. Sometimes that question may reflect stubbornness or disobedience. However we should not overlook or take for granted those times that it reflects inquisitiveness. When "why?" arises for this reason let us rejoice that this is one way our children are reflecting their Creator. He always acts orderly and purposely.

Perhaps the very questions "How did that happened?", when voiced by non-Christian friends, can result in an evangelistic conversation. God may use that question to bring them to a saving knowledge of the Creator whom previously they had unknowingly reflected.

©2009 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia