Fatalism, Determinism or Uniqueness, God's Plan for my Life (Daily Reflections on Prov. 20:24)

I do not consider myself a Calvinist nor an Armenian theologically. But when one reads passages like Proverbs 20:24, "The Lord has determined our path; how then can anyone understand the direction his own life is taking?," it raises questions regarding fatalism, determinism and free will. What is Solomon saying here? That I don't have any choice? That my life is laid out for me? That everything in my life happens because God has already determined or ordained it? And how far does that go? Does that mean that God determines whether or not I get get cancer? Does He determine what job I'm going get or who I'm going to marry? Does that extend to what I eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner? How much I drink? When I go to bed at night? Has God determined absolutely everything for me? Logical questions which raise even more questions. 

However, I think the bigger question has to do with the impact of your life. Have you ever noticed that everyone is different? I know that's a dumb question. Of course we know that everyone is different. Even identical twins are different. Just like every snowflake is unique, so are we. That's God's designed. God crafts each of us with our unique blend of gifts and talents and passions and skills and bents. And with all our uniqueness comes a unique purpose for our life. God's plan for me is totally different than God's plan for you. The people you impact, influence and do life with are different from the ones I impact, influence and do life with.

Notice our paths take us different places. That too is God designed. Our gift mix, personality, passion, experiences are all used by God, when we surrender it to Him, to accomplish His purpose and plan for us. Surrendering it to Him, that's the rub. God has a unique plan for each of our lives. We will only be able to fulfill God's plan for our lives when we are open to His leading and live each day for Him.

The problem is that many of us, okay most of us seek to live our lives for ourselves. We try to make a life for ourselves. We map out plans to take us to where we think we want to go. We read self help books, listen to inspirational or motivational speakers, push ourselves all in an attempt to get something we think we want. I heard one speaker say, "What if we spend all our energy, time and effort climbing the ladder of success only to get to the top of the ladder and find that it's leaning against the wrong wall?" 

I'm not saying that we should never plan or set goals or work hard to achieve success in our field. But, if we are honest with ourselves, this kind of pursuit of life is really all about us. What do I want for myself? It really gives little thought to the eventual impact of our life. It definitely avoids the questions, "Why am I here?" I really don't believe that God put us on this earth just to take up space, breath, use up some of the earth's resources and die. I believe that God has a specific plan for all us.

When Solomon writes these words, he indicates the uniqueness of every one of us. Instead of asking ourselves, "What do I want to accomplish in my life?" We should be asking "What does God want to accomplish through my life?" We don't have the vision to be able to see how our life will impact others not only in our lifetime but in the future. A life we impact today may influence someone else who in the future may impact thousands. We can't see that. We can't even see how our life affects those around us really. Our shortsightedness keeps us from understanding how God could use and is using us.

I struggle all the time with trying to figure out how my life is making a difference to anyone. I don't have visions (or delusions) of grandeur. I know that I'm not a rockstar pastor. But I do want my life to count to the people around me. I do want to impact them, to influence them for Christ. However, I can't even see if I'm really doing that. I really don't understand how God is using me.

And that's Solomon's point. God determines our path. He knows how he wants to use us. We haven't got a clue, really, what the total impact our life is having on others. So instead of killing ourselves trying to accomplish our dreams, why not live to allow God to accomplish His purpose for us. What does that look like? I don't know for you, but I do know that it involves people no matter what profession you hold, gifts you have, place you live, or education you have. When I release myself into the hands of God and let Him use my life fully, every day, then I don't have to worry about climbing a ladder to success or accumulating lots of wealth or being tops in my field. All I have to worry about is focusing on the people God brings around me to serve and care for. If we make serving Him our priority and giving Him our best at work, with friends, with neighbors, with family, in our community, then I believe that God will place us in positions that we can best be used by Him.

I think one the joys of Heaven will be that we get to see how God's plan was worked out through the influence of our lives. People we never met on this planet will be giving testimony of how our lives ultimately influenced them, especially in their relationship with God. I know of an older lady that taught a high school Sunday School class for years in a small town in North East Oklahoma. She loved her kids, had them to her house, always had cookies for them, listened to them, shared her faith with them and encouraged them in their walk with Christ. When they went off to college she would mail them cookies and send them notes. Through her service as the High School Sunday School teacher, she saw over thirty-five of her students become full time ministers and missionaries. Through her influence thousands of people have come to Christ all over the world. 

God, help me to focus on the people in my life today; of being a witness, an encouragement to the people in my life today. God, I want to live for you today. Sometimes chasing after big dreams or future aspirations wear me out and frustrate me and just bring me stress. I want you to handle the big picture, Lord. I know that my measly plans are nothing compared to what you envision. I just want to be used by you, however you want to use me.

Daily Reflections on Josh. 17:14-18 (Am I Just a Whiner?)

Giants. Walled cities. Iron chariots. It had to be somewhat intimidating to the Israelites as they moved in to redeem the land that God gave them. Most of us have a few hurdles in life that we have to clear. But these were downright barriers. It'd be like me trying to go one-on-one with Kobe Bryant. The only way I beat him is if he breaks both legs and has a heart attack as he steps onto the court. The odds aren't in my favor.

The first time the Israelites faced the challenge, they cowered and walked away. In fact they walked for another 38 years and never received their promise. This time was a different story. The Children of Israel had already seen how God took down several armies and how the walls of Jericho fell without them raising a sword. But as the allotment of the new land fell to each tribe, they were responsible for driving out the inhabitants.

The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (really the tribe of Joseph) needed more territory because of their numbers. Because of Joseph's faith, Ephraim and Manasseh were given more than one allotment of land. They were having a little trouble with their portion and were afraid of the Canaanites living in the plains because they had iron chariots. Horses, iron chariots, in other words Kobe Bryant. They didn't figure they had a chance of defeating the Canaanites. So they started whining and complaining to Joshua. "You give us land but then we have to deal the Canaanites who are really tough."

Conquering new territory even with God in our life can be daunting. You know God's promises and power, but getting in there and doing spiritual battle is a little intimidating. We claim to have faith and say we trust God, but then we look at our measly abilities and think, "There is just no way." A lot of people don't experience victory in their spiritual life or life period simply because they are looking too much at their own skill set. Either they try to handle things in their own pride or they give up because they recognize their incompetence or inadequacies.

Joshua told the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, "Yep, the Canaanites have iron chariots and are strong. But the land is yours, so go get it if you need more room." Faith is a funny thing. Seems to me we have it in doses. But the only way it really grows is when we act on it. If I truly believe that God can do anything, then I have to prove that for myself. The more I see the hand at God at work, the more I'm willing to tackle what seems impossible in my eyes.

Let's be honest, we have to face a lot of iron chariots in life. Finances, relationships, temptations, tasks, health issues sometimes seem overwhelming. Charging ahead without contemplation, prayer, and seeking God is not very bright. We're likely to get what I call the "Ai Effect." That's where we get our butts kicked. Ai was the city the Israelites attacked after Jericho, without consulting God. Not a good result. But sitting around moping, whining, complaining, walking away is just as devastating. We end up defeated and depressed and resigned to mediocrity because we're unwilling to believe God will give us the victory.

God, sometimes I have incredible faith and sometimes I have puny faith. I've seen you work in my life and the lives of others. I've seen you do great things. Why do I lose sight of your power sometimes and focus on iron chariots? Encourage me through your spirit to face those challenges with faith, to trust in you and not me. Lord, forgive me for my whining, complaining and woefully excuses. Give me the victory through your power so I can give you the glory.