What You Meant for Evil, God Meant for Good

Genesis 48-50

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20).

Have you ever heard of the “butterfly effect?” It’s the idea that a seemingly insignificant event can lead to enormous consequences overtime. A common metaphor used to explain this concept is that a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil could set off a tornado in Texas.

Recently, there was a trend on social media where people would tell how they saw the “butterfly effect” at work in their lives. They explained how one small decision caused a ripple effect that significantly impacted the course of their lives. Usually, the stories went something like this: “The butterfly effect is real because if I never would have walked in that random coffee shop, I would have never met my husband” or “The butterfly effect is real because if I never would have gone to that stranger’s Bible study, I would have never met my best friend.”

In Genesis, we see this sort of ripple effect occur in Joseph’s life. Joseph’s brothers mistreated him in numerous ways including selling him into slavery. This act of jealousy was intended for evil, but placed Joseph exactly where he needed to be in order to be used by God in big ways. What Joseph’s brothers meant for evil, God used for good.

What if the “butterfly effect” is really proof of God’s intentional hand in every single little thing that occurs in our lives. What if that girl didn’t walk into that coffee shop by chance, but she walked into that coffee shop because it was exactly what God had planned for her from the beginning of time?

Whether we can see it or not, God is in the details. He’s constantly working behind the scenes to lead us exactly where He wants us. In Romans, we learn that “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him...” (Romans 8:28). He can use anything, no matter how small and no matter how painful.

This “butterfly effect,” or should we call it the “God effect,” shows us how much our everyday decisions matter. You never know what God is going to do with one small “yes” from us. A seemingly insignificant decision like deciding to pray for a friend, to smile at a stranger, or to start a conversation with someone new, could be used by God in incredible and powerful ways.

Although we may not always understand what He is doing, we can rest assured knowing that even when we can’t see the whole picture, God is on our side and is working everything out for our good and His glory.

Carmen K