God's not in control
you think God takes control of our lives? I've met a number of people who have a problem with God taking control. They like being in charge of their own lives, make their own decisions.
It seems as though God has already planned our destiny so what's the point? We have no real control of our destiny. Is this true? I understand the there's much to be discussed on the subject of "free will" and divine omniscience. The bible shows us that we do have free will and that somehow within God's plan we are given a choice. So does God control our lives? Does He even want to?
I believe that some of us have missed the point. We've missed out on the real beauty of free will; God has given the control to us. We have control to choose the good and beautiful things in life or the destructive things in life but the reason God is pleased is because he doesn't choose for us.
My parents are a good example of this. My parents love me. I am confident that my parents would support me in whatever path I may choose. There are paths that they know will be wrong for me and paths that are right but neither direction is limited to a single choice. If I chose to be a pastor instead of a youth pastor they'd still be pleased. I think sometimes we have a conception that God has a single path for us and if we choose to be lawyers instead of doctors He'll bow His head in sorrow. No way! God will be pleased with any choice you make in the direction of good.
We apply the "narrow path" illustration to this. There is a narrow path. It’s not that the there's one narrow path or even one wide path. Along the narrow path there are many options. The good, narrow path, may be harder to choose than the destructive, wide path, for few will choose the good. You make the decision.
God's nature is not to give us choice so that we can choose to give it back. I am in control of my life, even though it's been submitted to God. He created in us a beautiful power. So you make the choice. Good or evil, beauty or destruction, love or hate. The kingdom of God or the kingdom of darkness. God will provide for you, love you, and watch out for you. God will show you what choices are good or bad. He will never leave you but it's your choice.
It seems as though God has already planned our destiny so what's the point? We have no real control of our destiny. Is this true? I understand the there's much to be discussed on the subject of "free will" and divine omniscience. The bible shows us that we do have free will and that somehow within God's plan we are given a choice. So does God control our lives? Does He even want to?
I believe that some of us have missed the point. We've missed out on the real beauty of free will; God has given the control to us. We have control to choose the good and beautiful things in life or the destructive things in life but the reason God is pleased is because he doesn't choose for us.
My parents are a good example of this. My parents love me. I am confident that my parents would support me in whatever path I may choose. There are paths that they know will be wrong for me and paths that are right but neither direction is limited to a single choice. If I chose to be a pastor instead of a youth pastor they'd still be pleased. I think sometimes we have a conception that God has a single path for us and if we choose to be lawyers instead of doctors He'll bow His head in sorrow. No way! God will be pleased with any choice you make in the direction of good.
We apply the "narrow path" illustration to this. There is a narrow path. It’s not that the there's one narrow path or even one wide path. Along the narrow path there are many options. The good, narrow path, may be harder to choose than the destructive, wide path, for few will choose the good. You make the decision.
God's nature is not to give us choice so that we can choose to give it back. I am in control of my life, even though it's been submitted to God. He created in us a beautiful power. So you make the choice. Good or evil, beauty or destruction, love or hate. The kingdom of God or the kingdom of darkness. God will provide for you, love you, and watch out for you. God will show you what choices are good or bad. He will never leave you but it's your choice.