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Predestined


For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— (Ephesians 1:4-5)
          Let’s go back to some basics. If you want someone to do something, does the fact that they don’t chose to do it mean that you don’t want them to? If you want someone to come visit, and expect them to arrive in a car, and instead they show up riding a bicycle, is your will for them to visit not still fulfilled? Some people seem to think that something being God’s will means that it has to happen in a way that supersedes the will of the person. That does happen sometimes, but something being predestined doesn’t require God to use a baseball bat to accomplish His desires. He might use flowers instead. Sometimes, we seem to get so twisted up about God’s will and predestination, thinking we have it all nailed down and it must work in exactly this way, when in fact, it doesn’t have to at all. 
          For the moment, let’s just agree that predestination does work, somehow, and that if you are a Christian, you are clearly among those who were chosen and predestined. That choosing and predestination was something He wanted to do and chose to do. If you aren’t a Christian, that doesn’t mean you aren’t chosen, wanted, or predestined. It means your life isn’t over. If it concerns you beyond that, tell God about it.

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