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We wrestle through much of our lives, often too busy to think deeply about what is going on. But, occasionally when we face a uniquely difficult situation we may ask ourselves “why”. Why did God “allow” this problem? Why is my life the way it is? We may look at the bigger picture by asking “why did God design life the way He did?”. The following is not an exhaustive discussion, but something to consider.
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As you ponder, a key piece is to understand that God has a fundamental plan for a purpose of love, for everyone.
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….. In all wisdom and insight He [God] made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him [Jesus] ……….. who (God) works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:8-12
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Ephesians 1:8-12 explains clearly that God has a plan – for you, me, everyone – for a purpose of love – “the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention”. This plan is not just spoken of in Ephesians 1. Isaiah talks about God’s wonderful works, based on His plans formed long ago (i.e. – before Creation), with perfect faithfulness (fully consistent with His nature, including His goodness).
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O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
Isaiah 25:1
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To arrive at this plan, God thought through every possibility which could exist (“in all insight” – think trillions X trillions X trillions) and chose the optimal one (“in all wisdom”) which would accomplish His purpose of love. And He executes everything, down to the tiniest detail, according to the plan which he has created (“works all things after the counsel of His will”).
The essence of God’s nature is love, so any plan consistent with that nature would be a plan formed and executed from His heart of love.
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“God is love” – 1 John 4:8
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The centerpiece of this plan is the ultimate demonstration of His love (“which He purposed in Him [Jesus]”) through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to save His enemies from the consequences of their actions.
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For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
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To emphasize again, God – out of His core nature of love and an overflowing desire to express that love – came up with the single best plan that would most fully demonstrate that love. And that plan would be to die for worthless, far-beneath-Him enemies to save them from what they deserved and to replace that with the highest standing possible as eternal citizens of Heaven.
The end of all of this is that we will praise Him for his manifold excellence (“praise of His glory”) which He has shown in every possible way – and of which we have been made a prime beneficiary. While God’s plan for a purpose of love is general (“for God so loved the world” – John 3:16), it is also specific to you and specific to me.
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When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
John 21:18-22
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When we ask why God is allowing a narcissist to wreak havoc in our lives, we can be confident in our belief that it is not random – there is a much bigger plan in play, and the essence of that plan is love. The proof of God’s goodness is Jesus’ death on the cross for us. And God makes it clear that if He was willing to do that, why would He not shower us with other demonstrations of His goodness?
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What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Romans 8:31-32
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It is impossible for me or anyone else to tell you what God’s plan for a purpose of love is for you. God is weaving together millions of millions of life circumstances specifically for you. While the broad themes might be similar, your life and God’s plan for your life is one-of-a-kind. I have an identical twin brother, and we have a lot in common in our life trajectories – but our lives are not at all the same. My wife’s life and my life are very different, even though they are lived together.
Why this way? God’s BIG plan was realized through the singular most important event in history, but the billions x billions of demonstrations and outflowing of that plan through the wide variety of our individual lives further displays God’s glory like additional facets of a diamond. An 16-sided diamond is good, but a 10,000-sided diamond far more glorious in the light it reflects.
Of course, those who do not believe but reject God and His love have a very different outcome. They forfeit much of God’s goodness in this present life (they still receive His common goodness given to all mankind), and more importantly experience His wrath reserved for those who reject Him.
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