freewill hunting

I have never believed everything happens for a reason. Because we live in a fallen world, bad stuff happens to both good and bad people. I cringe when a child dies and someone says, "God needed another angel in heaven." Nope. Or when someone says, "Why is God letting this happen to ME?" Seriously? Who do you think you are? If God constantly intervened in the bad things that happened, the whole concept behind free will would be void. We also need to remember that many times the bad things that happen to us are a result of our own bad decisions. We reap what we sow, and blaming the Lord for that is ignorant. Sometimes before we can learn from our mistakes and move on, we first have to admit that we are the root of many of our problems. (This is not always the case though. Like I said, bad things happen to everyone. It is just a result of living in a fallen world that is under Satan's influence.)

Free will is not an illusion, but control is. 

There is a difference between the Lord knowing the end from the beginning and him controlling every single aspect of everything. I imagine a play. The stage has been elaborately designed and set, the actors are costumed and take their places....but there is no script. This is improv. I feel like this is a good parallel to life. God created everything and he placed humans here and said "Action!"

This is a choose your own adventure. He places ideas and desires into our hearts, but he isn't going to magically manifest those things for us like a genie. We have to choose to follow him. He will never force his will onto you, although there is freedom in deciding to surrender to his will for your life. 

He didn't leave us alone though. He is there for our when we need comfort, guidance, and wisdom. No matter what happens in our lives, the Lord can work it out for the better.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Even though I don't believe everything happens for a reason, I do believe that everyone born is here for a reason. No matter who we are, where we're from, what we did (ok, thanks Backstreet Boys,) we can all be used for a purpose. Don't let your life be in vain. Use the talents and gifts you were given. Step out in faith. Remember, faith as small as a mustard seed can grow and move mountains. 

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Ambassadors of Christ is one of my favorite Youtube channels. They put out a great video on repentance last week. It goes into how the metaverse will make the porn industry even more evil than it already is, the false new age Christ, and of course, repentance. Jarren does an excellent job of explaining addictions and how the chemicals in our brains are rerouted and destroyed when we become addicted to something. Even if there's not some big sin you need to turn away from, I think everyone will find this video edifying.