I eavesdropped on a conversation between two elderly men. They obviously had seen a lot in life given their age and tone of their conversation. I caught a statement from their conversation that got me thinking; “Just take this life easy, God has already made his conclusions about those who would be wealthy and those who would be poor.”
Friend, there is something as the sovereignty of God but there is also the effort of man. We must know how to balance these two forces if we would maximize our stay here on earth. Any extreme in either of these two realities would lead to a life of limitations and/or a life of struggle (Psalms 127:1-2).
Those who tilt towards the extreme of the sovereignty of God often live a life of limitations and those who are on the extreme of the effort of man end up living a life of struggle. While the sovereignty of God teaches that whatever man would become is based on what God has already concluded, the effort of man speaks to the responsibility everyone has to take for their outcomes in life (Romans 9:15-16, 1 Corinthians 15:10).
Your attitude towards God’s sovereignty matters alot. When you think that the sovereignty of God is to your disadvantage you would lack the motivation to stretch for success and accomplishments in life. The truth is, in Christ, God has shown you mercy, the sovereignty of God is to your advantage (Romans 9:23, Ephesians 2:4). You have been given permission to succeed.
Trying to apply efforts against the will of God for your life is to kick against the pricks (Acts 9:5-6). Actually, you are to find out the will of God and stretch to fulfil it. The will of God for you is something positive and massive, more like a big circle. But your effort will determine how much of the circle would be filled. It is possible for a man to live lesser than God plans but nobody can live beyond divine allocation.
The Bible did not ask us not to run or acquire skill. It is not bad to be strong neither is it sinful to go for wisdom. We are only encouraged to not depend on all of these (Ecclesiastes 9:11). If time and chance must happen for your good then you must be prepared for your time. God will bring your opportunities but you would get yourself ready (1 Samuel 16:11-13, 17:29).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria