1. I don't subscribe to the belief that God had my life planned out before the creation of the world. 2. Nor do I believe that God ever planned my life out. 3. By the same token, I believe that what we refer to as "God's will" and "God's plan" is not individualistic but rather, collective, thus meaning, God's will and God's plan is the same for all of us: To both know Him and make Him known. 4. Because I do not believe that God planned or plans everything ahead of time and I don't believe there is an individual plan for "ME" alone, I am quickly turned off by comments like: "God has a life planned for you, you just need to trust Him and it'll happen." 5. Just as well, I am annoyed by people who act as if they are more holy and loved by God because they supposedly have their life, especially the spiritual aspect, all together. They think" God has shown me what I am to do but He has not shown this or that person, so, I must be more significant." The truth is, nobody ever has it all together, they only think they do. 6. I get frustrated with people who mistake their desires for God's call but aren't willing to admit it. 7. I believe it is more often the case that our talents and passions can compliment and fulfill God's desires rather than God giving us specific talents so that He can accomplish a certain end. That's too deterministic for me. 8. I believe that Christianity has to have some kind dynamic aspect to it and that it cannot be static, planned out, cookie-cut, etc. We must constantly be giving the Spirit more and more to work with and that means change, picking up new interests, cultivating new talents, finding new interests, etc.
Finally, I offer a hearty "AMEN" to the following statement of Susan B. Anthony as it pertains, quite a bit, to the above thoughts I just offered: "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do,’ she once said, ‘because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.’ Having been somewhat of an expert on the sanctification of my own desires, I try not to pin them on God anymore. At the same time, I recognize the enormous energy in them, which strikes me as something that God might be able to use.”
I pretty much agree, although I like to believe that God still has some input and guidance in my life and that sometimes things that happen may either be orchestrated by him or that he may orchestrate something out of it.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to fall into the ditch of believing everything is chance or pure luck which is sometimes possible with me since I am an Open Theist.
Bryan L
Bryan,
ReplyDeleteI'll second what you've said here, just as I seconded SBA's comment. Does God work in the world? Yes. Does God, perhaps, set things up that I can participate in? Yes. Is it my choice to acknowledge that or not? Yes. Is it my choice to participate? Yes. I disagree with nothing you've said here. Good thoughts.
I agree that God doesn't have one eternal "plan" that lays out the precise path for our lives. If nothing else, that idea runs aground on the fact that all of us make mistakes, sometimes life-altering ones, and yet God is faithful and continues to go with us and, yes, guide us.
ReplyDeleteI think it is entirely legitimate to follow one's own desires, and recognize them as such, when those desires are good. I also think that focusing too much on God's will can not only lead to the self-righteous posing you mention, but also to one or the other of two opposite traps: Either equating our desires with God's, or giving up our own decision-making process in the delusion that God will reveal his own will for each and every detail of our lives (Like the poor sap I once knew who couldn't eat breakfast without agonizing over God's will in the matter. Wait, maybe that was me... ;)
But I also think that God does know what's best for us and does, on occasion, seek to guide us. I believe this because at times I have found God pointing me in directions that I would not have choosen or wanted, but that turned out to be for the best. And since I don't think I'm special, that suggests to me that such things are possible for anyone.
Ken,
ReplyDeleteLike Bryan, you present some awesome points. And as with Bryan, I cannot disagree with an iota of what you said here.
Hey Michael,
ReplyDeleteI work in a construction zone in Atlanta. The Food Bank is located in an old warehouse area that is slowly being gentrified as part of the new city living trends. I have developed a new appreciation for the architect, who I am sure starts with a plan, but in an area where unsuspected things like toxic dumpsites, or buried walls are found, there is not one plan, but one that is re-drawn daily. G-d's plan for my life at this moment is less about a script and more about an assessment of the present possibilities. In that sense, G-d is the architect of our lives.
John,
ReplyDeleteQuite an interesting analogy. It reminds me of the stories my father-in-law tells about how, when he worked as an engineer at a large plant, they were constantly revamping, redrawing and redeveloping wiring and building plans/schemas. Perhaps Matthew Fox's notion of continual creation is right on. This idea of mine, does lean that way doesn't it? But then again, to say something like Gen. 1.1, "In the/a beginning..." is to imply that future growth will take place, that change, to some degree, is inevitable; that it's not all mapped out. Thanks John, for your comments. And btw, it's good to know that you still exist! Blessings pal.