God's Plans and Guidance vs. Our Will

I must admit at the outset that I am not a Theologian. I also realize that there are huge tomes dedicated to this issue. Then I must also admit that I feel completely out my element even addressing such a subject. "Well, why are doing so then?" you might be asking. The reason that I am addressing the issue is personal and is addressed strictly from my experience and my point of view. Lately, I have been writing about God's activity in my life from my earliest childhood see my blog God in the Belly of the Whale. This question also comes to mind as I reflect on my years living in the Ministering Community of the First Baptist Church of Chula Vista.

I knew that I had been called to become a pastor while I was still in my teens. I didn't want to be a pastor and I ran from it for years. Could I have run for the rest of my life. I believe that the answer is certainly, yes. In spite of God's plan for me; in spite of situations that affected my life; in spite of guidance that he provided to me; I didn't have to become a pastor unless I cooperated with God in that choice.

Last week in my Belly of the whale blog I wrote about music, both violin and voice and their impact in my life. Some commented how God used this in my life to provide circumstances where I was able to move into the ministry. I concur with their observations, but I could just as easily moved in other ways. For example, when I was a senior at UCLA I had an opportunity to sing at a large charity dance in Hollywood. I had already auditioned and was selected to be THE vocalist with a "big band" as my accompaniment. I was also provided with a lovely date. I was estranged from my father at the time, but in the afternoon of the performance, I received word that my father had suffered a heart attack. I could have stated that I would go and see him after the evening festivities, but I immediately cancelled my appearance -- and my date and went to see my dad. Needless to say, I was never asked to perform by the sponsors of this event nor was I given the opportunity to date this girl. Ironically I not only missed this opportunity, but I got further estranged from my father when I went to his room and saw that his "girl friend" was there. As he told me he was glad that I came, I replied, "I just came to tell you that I hope you die!" I didn't see him for 10 years. Did God arrange these circumstances? I don't think so. I do think he used the circumstances, but I could have done the performance, I might have married my date and I might have been more sensitive to my date. Any of these things would have changed my life and the decision was up to me! 

Rather than going through a series of "fork in the road" circumstances of my life, I will just state what I believe in the issue. I do believe that God has a plan for my (our) life (lives.) I think that he guides in many ways toward reaching that plan. I don't believe that he sets up a set of circumstances which force into his plan. I do think that he uses these circumstances to help us to make the right decisions leading to living out his plan. But the decisions are ours. Even when I was thrust into the role of a pastor at First Baptist Church of Chula Vista, I was not convinced. I can so close to leaving the church and furthering my education in another field! I prayed about it. God did not make me do it. However, when I surrendered and embraced the role of pastor, years of resistance to that idea rolled away. Finally I was moving with his plan for my life.

It is God's plan -- but he allows us to walk in his ways or not. He loves us either way -- will not force us -- but he won't give up either.