God has a blueprint for us?
December 20, 2006
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A mission organization opened its evangelism booklet with this well-meaning line: "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life."
Its intent is clear and powerful: God loves us dearly and our lives are of enormous importance to Him. The inadvertent message, however, is that our future has been planned in detail, and all we need to do is find the road map and follow it. I affirm God's sovereignty, His all-knowingness. John Calvin and others help unravel the nature of predestination. Most important! But as much as He knows our future, He could—if He chose—keep us clear from shoals, sufficiently far from trouble. Often He doesn't. He allows us to choose, to make our own way. During the 1995 Quebec referendum on separation from Canada, someone said, "Don't worry, God is sovereign." "And what has that to do with how Quebecers will vote?" I asked. "Just because God is sovereign, does it mean that He doesn't allow us to make choices—be they right or wrong?" To make God into a blueprint designer and us—those made in His image—into blueprint seekers, reduces His imago Dei to puppets on a string. Reducing His plan for our lives into a "blueprint" theology overlooks the relationship dynamic between Creator and created. Our walk is by faith, not by sight. King Saul was reproved for seeking out the witch of Endor's help to learn of the future. Why? He wasn't to know. Prayer-- God of the future, all-knowing Spirit, Christ of the Emmaus Road, nothing of tomorrow catches You by surprise. The future I'm not told, for Your pleasure is our trust in Your leading. The line from start to finish is not straight, but rather zigzags. In all times and places, I trust You to be there. Lifting when I fall. Correcting when I fail. Nudging when I stray. Showing Yourself when I feel alone. Along the path I'm taught. For Your tutelage I will be forever grateful. Amen. |
There is a great misconception: God has a blueprint for our lives. |