I am the author of my life. True?
We tend to admire men and women who have forged their own paths in life. Like Captain James Cook who was famous for his three voyages between 1768 and 1779 in the Pacific Ocean and to Australia in particular.
We admire famous entrepreneurs who fought their way in the world of business against the odds. Against stereotypes. A recent example is Indra Nooyi, former chairperson and chief executive officer of PepsiCo. A leader who rose to the highest position in a Fortune 100 company. She has been consistently ranked among the world’s 100 most powerful women.
The Webster’s dictionary states that the word author means “the beginner, former, or first mover of anything; hence, the efficient cause of a thing; a creator; an originator. The one who composes or writes a book; a composer, as distinguished from an editor, translator, or compiler”.
Portrait of Captain James Cook, by Nathaniel Dance-Holland
Based on this definition alone, it tells us that we cannot be the author of our lives. We are not the originator of our lives. We were not even a part of the decision-making process that caused us to be born!
1. Yet what does the Bible say?
Psalm 139:16 – New Living Translation (NLT):
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Proverbs 19:21 – New International Version (NIV):
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Clearly, the only person who can write anything about our lives is God. From the moment the sperm penetrates the egg and the process of formation of a human being commences. Up until the moment of death.
Through all life’s events, we have little control over what happens to us.
What should our response be, therefore? Our response is dependent on what we believe about God.
Firstly, we need to establish the idea that God is SOVEREIGN. Whether He does what we perceive as the best for us or otherwise is not a matter of contention. He has every right to do that which He wants. He is preeminent. We are not.
Secondly, we need to settle in our minds that God is OMNIPOTENT. He is in control over all matters that is happening around us and to us.
Thirdly, God is all knowing – OMNISCIENT. He is not just all knowing but He is all wise. Romans 16:27 (NIV) states “to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” Knowledge is about knowing information. Wisdom is about knowing how and when to use knowledge, being able to put situations in perspective, and how to impart it to others for good. Therefore, God always wants and does what is best for all that He created.
2. How do we know we can trust God?
In the Gospel of Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV), Jesus said “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” In comparison to God’s level of holiness, we are evil. We cannot fully want the highest good for others 100% of the time. And yet, God can! That is how we know we can trust God to want all things for our benefit 100% of the time.
3. Now what?
Many of us do not fully read the user manual of objects that we buy. Just a check on the internet brings up user hacks for anything from our pressure cookers to our cell phones! Well, if you know that there is a life manual for you to unlock the secrets to live out your best life, written by the Author of your life, would you not want to know what is in it? Reading a manual can be very daunting! It may seem so exhaustive … and exhausting … to read.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
In this article series, we will share some tips on unlocking this user manual for living our best life. We want to engage you, dear reader, on this journey. So come and share with us your thoughts as we walk this journey together!