I love my church. And I love my pastor. I really appreciate our young pastor’s preaching and teaching. His sermon on Sunday focused on all the details that had to come together in order for Christ to be born in the appointed place at the appointed time to the appointed people. Miracles really–every single detail. But there was one thing our pastor said that I have been mulling over and over in my head: God’s will is always accomplished and God is in control of all things. This I’m not so sure about. And for all of you Twila Paris fans, please hear me out.
Every time a human being is murdered – God’s will is not being done. Each time a person chooses to lie – God’s will is not being done. When a woman is raped or a father is killed by a drunken driver – God’s will is not done. When a helpless baby is aborted or a spouse cheats or a man beats his wife or a child is molested – NONE of these are God’s will. In fact, countless times around the world in thousands upon thousands of lives, God’s will is not being done daily. Sin is never God’s will. And in those moments when humankind chooses not to obey God, without a doubt, God’s will is not done. This might be the reason Jesus told us to pray to the Father, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” i.e. Pray for His will because it is not being done.
So, where am I going with this? Not a great blog to start the New Year. Maybe. But here’s what I think. I believe that even when God’s will is not done in my life, He somehow, sovereignly turns it for my good. That if I surrender my life to Him and ask Him to live in me and through me, He is able and willing to take the worst circumstances of my life and use them for His glory and for His purposes.
I think that is what happened with Joseph. I honestly do not believe God’s will was for those terrible brothers (after discussing his murder), to sell him into slavery. God’s will could have been accomplished in and through a plan that did not involve sin. Who knows how the story would have played out? But nevertheless, God ran the endgame and fed His people during a time of famine through Joseph’s eventual rule. I don’t believe it was God’s will for Potiphar’s wife to lie, or for the wine taster and the baker to forget their promises to Joseph. But the story of Joseph illustrates that even when the worst of circumstances block, hinder, waylay, and reroute us, as followers of God we can say with Joseph, “As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil, for he brought me to this high position I have today so that I could save the lives of many people” (Gen 50:20). So, yes. Eventually God’s purposes were fulfilled, but I do not believe this was His perfect plan.
Dallas Willard stated it much better than I, “What is ‘the kingdom of God?’ It is the range of God’s effective will, where what God wants done is done. It is, like God himself, from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 103:17). The planet Earth and its immediate surroundings seem to be the only place in creation where God permits his will to not be done.” Semantically, I guess you can say that if He permits His will NOT to be done, then He is ultimately in control. I’m getting dizzy.
But here’s the main thing: It all points back to God’s Redemptive Power. When that individual hurts me and abuses me; when that person in power refuses to do the right thing; when that spouse is unfaithful; when that search committee doesn’t hire; when that son leaves the teaching of Scripture; when that criminal steals; when the Earth moans and groans with pain, I know I can say with all certainty, my God is able to work all of these things to my good according to Romans 8:28 and He is able to redeem the worst that life throws at me and though His will is not being done here on Earth, I know there will come a time and a day when His Kingdom will reign forever and ever and ever. And therefore I hold on to His promises and I pray, “Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come! Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven!” And I wait for that day, but that day isn’t here yet.
When I say that I don’t believe God is in control, I don’t mean that in the long-term way. He will ultimately be in control. But think of it this way: we have very clear traffic laws in the USA that govern how we should and shouldn’t drive. These are excellent laws that protect people and are enforced as often as they can be, but they are not in control of drivers who decide to disobey them. God is in charge and watching and waiting and loving and fulfilling and caring and wooing–He has a plan. But right now in our fallen world He is not in absolute control and that is how sin is still able to function here on this planet. We are living in a Kingdom that has hostile occupants and though our King is Ruler and Sovereign, there are rebels in the land that wreak havoc and certain parts of the Kingdom are held by hostile forces. He’s coming. I’m sure of it. But right now, it’s a promise not a reality. What is a reality? That God will have the last word and that as I cling to Him and hold tight to His word, He will see me through to the end. II Timothy 1:12, “Still, I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him]” (AMP). Peace.
Great words, Teri! I totally agree. God’s will does not include the horrific things that people do to other people.