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“There are things that we’re not going to understand along the way. You have to trust that God knows what He’s doing and working out His plan for your life. His plan is bigger. His plan is greater.”OK, that appears to be (I say appears to be because I found it on social media) a quote from the number one authority on God’s plan, Joel Osteen.
Let’s compare that with what the Bible (which is God’s Word) says about understanding and who’s in charge of your life. Now, keep in mind, I’m quoting from the New King James version of the Bible. So, it might be chock full of human bias. Come to think of it, maybe all versions are. Uh-oh.
Anyway…Bear with me. Let’s say, for the sake of time and effort, that there’s the slightest chance our English translations of the Bible are reasonably reliable. That being said, what does it say about understanding?
Oh my goodness. Just looked at Proverbs. Could this be His plan?
With barely a few strokes on my computer keyboard, I found six very interesting results when I searched for the term “get understanding.” I’m no rocket scientist (thank God), but it appears the writer of those Proverbs believed that being able to understand is a do-able thing. I mean, c’mon man. The implication is there. Because would God tell us to do something that’s not do-able? (My guess is No)
Over and over, in the Bible, you’ll discover (if you look) that God gives human beings the ability to think and decide for themselves. And then, He lets them. It would appear that God’s “plan” for your life is for you to use what He gave you to plan your own day.
You’re using it right now as you read this. Yep, God designed and gave you a brain. And then He took a HUGE risk. Because He let you think for yourself.
In other words, you don’t have to ask His permission to make decisions. Of course, you should always consult Him and ask for His help. But you can make decisions based on your own choices. Then you can enjoy the rewards or deal with consequences based on what you chose.
In “Biblical terms” that’s called sowing and reaping. A totally understandable concept.
Even for humans.
But I’m sure you’ve heard this, when bad things happen. “Well, we trust God even though we don’t understand why He’s doing this or what His plan is”. If you’re a Christian, please don’t say that.
You should understand we currently live in “the age of Grace.” So, this isn’t a dispensation where God wrecks cars, burns down houses, makes your kids steal, crashes planes, or makes anybody shoot anybody else. God isn’t arbitrary. He isn’t fickle. And He doesn’t play games with your life.
God doesn’t (and never did) plan your day. He doesn’t make you rich. And He doesn’t make you poor.
You can be sure He’ll never leave you nor forsake you as you plan your own day. But He has the big picture view of your world and your life. Your view is more myopic and selfish (mine too). And that means allowing you to live your life with the freedom to love Him or not. The freedom to choose Him or not. So, here’s what I suggest as you plan your day today:
Choose to get more understanding of God’s word. Put that at the top of your to-do list.
And don’t buy into that whole “It’s just part of God’s plan” mantra. That takes His truth out of the frying pan and into the fire, so to speak. And that fire is the world’s increased hatred toward the kind of God who’d orchestrate all the chaos and evil in this world. And then say it all somehow follows a righteous plan.
If you never have, then choose to trust Him and His actual word. If you’ve already done that, then choose Him to continue to be the guiding force in your life. Choose to love God. Because His ultimate, overarching plan for you is eternal life in His Heavenly paradise. But He didn’t already preordain you to be there. And He won’t force you to be there. You’re in charge of that choice. Choose wisely.
Planning your day is part of your life…
Choosing the things you will do.
Make sure you choose the giver of life.
He’ll always be there for you.
Stay tuned,
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