And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Personally witnessing another and their journey through life is perhaps the most rewarding and fulfilling blessings we have with each other. Sitting across the booth from a friend, I listen as she asks a question. “If He knows what will happen to us, how can we have free will?” I sat there for a minute. Clearly a question I’ve also wondered for so many years, but never really tackled. I knew this was one of those that the best of theologians have attempted to explain and failed at defining it clearly. Since phoning a friend was not an option, I rested in the peace of knowing who God is and went from there.
While I will not do it justice, this made perfect sense to me! And since me thinking about it with my friend outloud, it has captured my thoughts all day. Definitely not a bad thing to think about for sure! 🙂
One of the most commonly used adjectives to describe God is omniscient — meaning, all-knowing. We often think of this as the way God knows everything about us and so true this is! But, I believe his knowing of me stretches to the far edges of the universe. How so you may ask?
Well, we say all the time that God has a plan for me (and you) and wants the best for us, to see us prosper in it and be blessed by it. But we also know that not so very good things happen to good people all the time. How so? Why so? These are questions we tend to ask when bad things happen.
I believe God has a plan that is VERY GOOD! But that is not the only path we could take. I believe God knows every possible combination of options, paths, choices, decisions we have to make AND the outcome of every combination for every option, path, choice and decision. That’s alot of stuff to know about me! That’s right, it is — He’s ALL-KNOWING!!
So, how do I know if I’ve made the RIGHT choice, taken the best path, decided to act according to His will? David speaks about this in Psalm 91.
If you make the Most High your dwelling–even the Lord, who is my refuge–then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:9-12
Do I dwell in the presence of the Most High? Am I seeking Him as my refuge? It is in this place where I find the RIGHT choice, the best path, the decision in His will. And if that path is rocky, rough and potentially fatal? No sweat, a host of angels have been appointed to watch guard over me — specifically for me! And even so death may come, Paul reminds us to consider it pure joy!
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39