The Old Testament Psalmist wrote that “this is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” The godhead, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are in charge of the day. This is important for those of us on this unexpected journey to a close personal relationship with God.
The Old Testament book of beginnings talks about God creating everything on planet earth. He set things in motion thus creating an ebb and flow of life. Everyone and everything operates within this ebbing and flowing. God made it that way. However, this does not mean that humanity is locked into some divine destiny.
While it is true that God has a plan for humanity, it is equally true that humanity has the ability to choose his or her own path. An all-knowing God has already taken this fact into consideration. Therefore, he knows who will, as well as those who will not follow the plan, he has for them.
In this regard, think of God as the writer of a play. He knows the type of character he would like to fill a certain role. Within that role, he knows everything about that character from beginning to end. In this case, both the Christ-follower, as well as the Christ-rejector, have important roles to play. The Bible offers many references to this.
God is not predetermining who will fill the roles, he simply knows who will and will not follow him.
Secondly, God is not forcing anyone to take a role in order to fulfill God’s desire. The Bible also makes it very clear that the desire of God the Father is to have a creation who willingly follows him. This is played out daily in human life. As a father, it is always my desire that our children live a righteous life. However, my wife and I can no more make them live it than God makes humanity live it. It is an individual choice. Either way, we love our children, just as God loves his.
This close personal relationship is about each Christ-follower choosing to walk down the path—what I am calling the unexpected journey—designed by God for him or her. This path will certainly intersect with other Christ-followers, as well as venture away from them.
An old hymn goes something like, “One day at a time, sweet Jesus, is all that I’m asking of you.” It is this “one day at a time,” component that creates the challenges for those of us on this journey. Each day brings its unique flavor, some are enjoyable, while others are downright bitter; but each is necessary.
Just as in the play analogy, the actor does not learn all the lines at once, only those needed for that particular day. For the journey takers, it is a one-day proposition. Leaning on God the Holy Spirit while looking for the illumination of the word of God, Jesus, God the son.
When I sat down to write this, I had no idea of the flood of knowledge that would reveal itself. So, next time, I will delve deeper into this line of thinking.
Blessings on you this week.