*continuing the theme from this post.
I’m a staunch five-point Calvinist. I believe strongly in the sovereignty of God. I believe that God is not surprised by anything that we do or that happens to us, and that what does happen is part of his plan for our lives.
That said, sometimes that’s not easy to remember. There are times when it’s easy to see God’s hand in everything and be reminded he’s in control. Then there are times when his hand is still evident but it goes against what seems right to us, in our understanding or lack thereof. And of course there are times when it seems like everything is out of control.
Right now I’m somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd option. If I didn’t believe God to be sovereign over all, things wouldn’t be very easy to get through right now. Just a lot of uncertainty when I feel much more comfortable with order. I’d like to have everything planned out, be able to progress along with that plan, and have everything just work out. I’d like to have life decisions and timing go according to a plan too, and know that everything is all going to turn out great.
But instead it often turns out that just as soon as things start to come together, something unravels. Some new unexpected thing comes up and my goal or plan starts to look impossible. Maybe whatever was unexpected was actually helped along by my own actions. Whatever it may be, it becomes clear that the original plan isn’t going to work as I thought.
Then there are times when things go entirely out of control. All at once, one project needs emergency planning. Clients are needing urgent changes. Deadlines are approaching. Other items on the calendar are moving around. Then what’s to be done?
Will we start to doubt whether God has it all under control? Will we question whether he is really paying attention? Will we question if he really knows best? There’s no denying that as humans we start to wonder some of those things at times. But if we really believe in God’s sovereignty, we have to instead realize that yes, he is in control.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)
And thus what seems to be something fully out of control is really just a different plan that will, in retrospect, be clear that it was fully orchestrated by God for his purposes.
“Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.”
(Isaiah 40:26-28 ESV)