The You … You Are: Who Does What?
When our two children were young my late wife and I wanted to teach to them to work hard in all they do. But we also wanted to set a good example in working hard ourselves. So we decided to split up some of the household chores. We bought some rectangular magnets that you could write on with a magic marker. We wrote four chores on magnets and our four names on some others. Each persons name went next to a chore. After one week, we rotated the chores so everyone ended up doing one chore per month.
In much the same way, the information below clarifies who does what that affects your life. Each party has certain decisions that belong only to them. The decisions will impact your life positively or negatively and become part of your life story.
GOD-DETERMINED: There are many decisions that God determines because He is our Creator. In fact, whatever He doesnt determine, He permits. Nothing happens in our lives without Gods knowledge and approval. Listed below are some of the decisions that are God-determined:
- When you will be born
- When you will die
- Which historical era you will be born into
- Where you will be born
- Whom your parents will be
- Whom your siblings will be, if any
- What will be your physical features
- What will be your innate strengths
- Which temperament will you have
- How many children you will have, if any
- Which gender your children will be, if any
- What the birth order of your children will be
- What the time interval between children will be
- Your spiritual gifts (at conversion)
- What will be the desires of your heart
- What will be your calling (unique ministry assignment)
- and many others
SELF-DETERMINED: Next, there are certain decisions you are responsible for making and God allows:
- Whether you will do your best in school
- What level of education you will attain
- Which career you will choose
- Whom you will marry
- Whether you receive Christ as your Savior and Lord
- Where you will live
- Who your friends will be
- Where you will travel
- How you will invest your time, talents, and treasure
- Which church you will attend
- Whether you will seek to become parents
- and many others
OTHER-DETERMINED: Finally, others make decisions affecting your life – and God allows:
- Whether you will enroll in a college, if applicable
- Whether you will be hired for a job
- What your salary and benefits will be
- Whether you will be fired or downsized from a job
- Whether you will receive a mortgage, if applicable
- How much you will pay in taxes
- Whether you spouse will be faithful, if applicable
- Whether your spouse seeks a divorce, if applicable
- and many others
Your life story is the result of a complex, intertwining of all of the above decisions. It is mind-boggling to think about all the possible combinations that affect your life. But God knows everything that has, is, and will take place in your life. Moreover, Romans 8:28 promises, We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan. God takes all of the above decisions, in their infinite permutations, and somehow uses them for your good. He truly is an incredible God.
© 2011 Designed to Serve®
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
