I've been thinking about my life and considering a few things over the past few weeks. These scriptures below have been a focus of my thought processing.

Solomon said concerning his thoughts on life, "In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him" (Ecclesiastes 7:14, ESV).

After Joseph's brothers finally recognized him, they feared Joseph would seek revenge for what they had done to him. But, instead, Joseph said to his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people" (Genesis 50:20, NLT).

Even though the children of Israel had not remained faithful to Him, God sent these encouraging words to them through the prophet Jeremiah: "'For I know what I have planned for you,' says the LORD. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope'" (Jeremiah 29:11, NET).

Paul suffered much persecution during his years of ministry. Even so, he was still able to give these words of encouragement to fellow followers of Christ who were also suffering persecution. Paul said, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, KJV).

I have also remembered Job's story in the midst of my thoughts. He had no inclination of why the things happening to him were happening. As far as we can tell, he was never told that his suffering was due to God's allowance of Satan's buffering.

Even though these scriptures are contextual to a specific time and place, I found them to be applicable to my journey with the Lord.

I cannot explain many things about my life even though I have asked God a lot of questions. He has answered some and has not answered others. But I've learned one foundational lesson, though I've yet to master it. I'm still learning how to live the lesson daily.

The lesson is this:

I sometimes wonder whether the events of my life are caused by God or caused by an entity other than God, but I've never determined the final resolution to my wondering. So I've come to this conclusion: it matters not whether God is the cause of all of my life events or not. God is soverign, so He can do what He wants to do. I do know that nothing happens that God does not allow. And whatever he allows, He has promised to give me the fortitude to endure. He will be my help if I want His help. Since God is in charge, like Paul, I have learned that I must choose contentment in whatever my circumstance. I must find a way to be okay with whatever happens to me.

Being okay with both the good and the bad events in my life--past, present, or future--is the truest measure of my faith in and reliance on Him. It is when I am most submissive to His purpose. It is when I am finally dead to my ego and most alive in Him. Trusting Him this completly is the purest form of my life worship to Him.