Freedom from the “DOT Theory”
(Adapted from James MacDonald’s “Does God have a Will for my Life?”)Have you ever heard yourself say “I just want to be in the center of God’s will…”?
This is the theory that God has a specific or exact will for us; a “dot” that we must find and stand on, a “plan for our lives” so defined and focused, that if we miss it, we are somehow relegated to second best. We’ve also heard it called our personal “destiny”.
YES… He does and will have specific tasks for us to accomplish along our path, however, it goes directly against His character to have laid out a road map and if we somehow miss the off ramp -that’s it… can’t back up on the highway!
God isn’t surprised buy any of our decisions, and if we are “..called according to His will…” He will carry out His sovereign plan, including us in it regardless of our missteps.
The Bible simply does not support the “Dot” theory; that God has a specific, “for you only” plan for you, and if by some chance you get off that dot, you miss His best and are to settle for second best.
This assumes something though;
LORDSHIP… that we are seeking Him and walking with Him in every area of our lives and that we completely trust Him in every part of our lives, that He has control in spite of sin being in the world.
Outcomes, outcomes, He controls outcomes!
Prov. 16:33
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”
Even though He willingly gave up control of decisions to us, He still is in control of events along the way, the end of the game!
Will you fail or blow it from time to time? Of course. But the difference is that, though we may sin, we no longer live a LIFESTYLE of sin. And when we do we fall on our faces before our awesome, holy God and seek forgiveness which He promises to those with a broken and contrite heart.
When we are walking with Him in this way, we run freely in the “Garden” of His MORAL WILL; an open and exciting pasture of life and purpose in Him.
The greatest CHESS player ever known:
God’s smart….
He’s been around forever and has foreseen it all. So, He knows about ALL the failures we will ever have. However, since He’s the master Chess player, He has already prepared for those missteps with amazing accuracy to carry His plan forward while using our mistakes; to help us grow, to create a testimony of His infinite love and grace and, all the while, accomplishing His sovereign will for us personally and this world.
Eph. 5:15-17
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of
every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but
understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Romans 12:2:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is
—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
What is His “will”?
1) To be “TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind” -read Romans 12:2
2) God’s “secret plan” for this world, for our lives and His plan that controls all outcomes in the universe, consists 90 – 95% of His “moral will” which exists between the covers of His Word. It’s right there in front of us! The rest happens AS we walk according to His Word in the power of and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
3) He does indeed have specific tasks throughout our life to do, what we would call “our
calling” or path, but this is all too often misunderstood to be His “Perfect Will”. This is not a Biblical term.
4) KEY: God’s will for you has to do with the KIND of person you become, not just the THINGS you do for Him.
Eph.1:11
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
Prov. 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
If you’ll acknowledge God in EVERY decision you make, He promises that your path will be straight, (“easier” – a ,more accurate translation of Prov 3:6) not determine each and every specific decision you make, but the direction you move with Him.
- No wasted steps, No wasted time…
Again, God’s will for you is NOT the kind of car you drive, or the kind of house you buy… his will is about the KIND of person you become. Nothing thwarts the perfect council or sovereign purposes of God’s plan!
“God’s going to do what God’s going to do…
EVERY TIME, ON TIME, and WITH HIS FEET UP.” -James MacDonald
So how does God lead us?
Is. 40:11
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
Once you get inside the pasture of God’s will, he leaves the details up to us, the opportunity to make Godly decisions. When we operate inside his MORAL will our will IS His will… When we are instructed in the Word to “…ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you…” we must look at it in context; what we wish is what He also wishes… Why wouldn’t He answer our prayers when they align with His purpose?
Conclusion:
God’s will is about the KIND of person you become…
If this is your desire -to become more and more like Him, then you will make decisions that are His will… lots of little decisions all in the right direction!