Hello Greatness,
Someone once asked me if I thought life was simply “unreal.” For a minute there, I got somewhat flustered by the question. I had to pause before answering, just so I don’t sound dumb or confuse the person a lot more. Then I remembered that there was a time when I also thought to myself that things don’t seem real. I asked myself if I was a pawn in someone’s game? Was I just being manipulated into thinking this life was mine when someone else was calling the shots? Just like my friend, I asked people questions as well. What was the meaning of life? How can I tell what I’m supposed to be doing? You see, it’s very good to ask questions when we don’t understand some things. These questions push you to search for answers. The funny thing about situations like this is that when you don’t know what you are searching for, anything that sounds about right could suffice as the appropriate answer. Thankfully, I found the right place to get my answers. I found one part of the Bible that says:
Romans 8:29-30 (TPT)
For he knew all about us before we were born and he destined us[a]from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like him.
Having determined our destiny ahead of time, he called us to himself and transferred his perfect righteousness to everyone he called. And those who possess his perfect righteousness he co-glorified with his Son!
You see, for some reason, stumbling onto this verse seemed to have worked for me. I had an assurance that God created me, and while He was creating me, He had an image in His head about what He wanted me to be. As far as I was concerned, He simply wanted me to be a reflection of His Son. So, my attitude as well as my future were meant to mirror that of His child. Well, I was made to be like Him, so that seemed like a simple enough answer for me.
However, that response didn’t work for my friend. I had forgotten that we were different people. Even though we had some things in common, we had our differing perspectives as well. So, I was shocked when he further asked his questions. He said, “Well, if we had been predestined to be one way, then we simply do not have a choice.” That was yet another breath-taking question for me. I was trying to look for the right answers for him. Then I remembered that there’s always cause for meditation. We have been advised to be slow to speak (James 1:19). So, I allowed him to tell me more about his fears. All the while praying that the next few words that I would have, would be something to actually help him get answers he needs.
That was when I heard myself responding- we indeed have been predestined by God. That predestination is meant for our greatness. However, as powerful as God is, He does not intend to make His children invalids. He placed the power to follow this path that He has laid out for us in our hands. Wasn’t He the one who said He has placed before us the choices between life and death, blessings and curses? (Deut.30:19). But the love He has for us didn’t allow Him to stop there. He advised us to choose life so that, not just us, but our children will live too. Now tell me how a God who could actually choose to manipulate us and instead gave us that much power could make us pawns in His game? My favorite verse came up-
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)
God’s love for us is so big that at times when it seems like we don’t understand how things are going anymore, He brings us reminders about what we already know. I had almost forgotten about the power God gave me because some situations were beyond my control. Then, reading Psalm 4 this week just reminded me again about this. Psalm 4:3 got me thinking again about how God has equipped us with various gifts to get to where He meant for us to be. For each of God’s creation, God has implanted a special gift that will help us through our trying times.
He didn’t just equip us with these gifts, he actually set us apart from the rest of the world. So, for us that have chosen to go along the same path with Him, He made sure that we are highly distinguished from others. You are meant to stand out. Now, this does not mean there wouldn’t be trials, but while we are yet at it, we know how it will end. How am I sure about this? Take a look at Psalm 4:8(TPT)- Now, because of you, Lord, I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid!
It might not look like it right now, but God has set you apart from the rest of the world. I need this message just as much as the next person. I need to know that I don’t need to lose sleep over that situation. Do you know why?
I have been separated from the troubles of this worldThese words of affirmation can be a reminder at times when you need hope to go along
I have been separated to be co-destined with Christ
I have been separated to have peace when I should be unsettled
I have been separated to be distinguished
I have been separated to live a victorious life
I have been separated to reign in life!!
Words are very important to me just as I know it’s important to a lot of people as well. You cannot be defeated when you know who God has called you to be, and why He did that. I hope this message resonates with you as much as it did with me. Feel free to share your thoughts about why you think God created us.
Love,
Mz_Ola
God's Unfolding Grace 
My thoughts are as follows
1) we have indeed been predestined by God to have a great future
2)we are also indeed pawns in the hands of the creator.
Life itself can be likened to a complex chess game who pieces are prone to changing roles. Roles assigned are dependent on the choices we make. No matter what choice we make, God has a role for us which will altimately lead to His glory. This can be likened to vessels of honor or dishonor talked about in the bible. A trash can, a flower pot and a gold jar are all vessels with uses in a castle, but you can agree with me that all these have uses, but the gold jar is more honorable than the trash can. If we make Godly choices in life, then we can be assigned roles likened to the King and queen in a chess game. If we make bad choices, then we can be assigned roles like disposable pawns, but looking at things in the bigger picture, it all leads to God glory. Judas Iscariot was a greedy and a theif even in the presence of Jesus, so he was assigned a role as a disposable pawn which led to Christ paying the Supreme Sacrifice that brought Christ and us glory.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts Benedict. When you put it like that, it does sound nice. As far as we know we are not being manipulated by God, I can settle for being a pawn in a way…. who can end up being the queen.
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A lot of food for thought. The questions we have certainly primpts us to seek answers. We have been set apart for a purpose, i agree. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for reading. Yeah, it’s wise to ask questions that are bothering us. I just pray for discernment to find them at the right places
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As Christians, we are meant to stand out from the world just as Jesus stood out. That means we will be talked about, persecuted, and misunderstood. On the flip side we will also stand out because we should carry the joy of the Lord and have a transformed mind.
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You are indeed right. We shouldn’t forget the persecution, but in the midst of it, we should be joyful. Thanks for stopping by Brandi
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God definitely created us with a vision of all we would be and he gave us a key element that usually makes the difference between God’s picture of me and my picture and that’s choices…we have the ability to choose to live out his picture for us, that’s where we find peace, purpose, fulfilment, Joy even when it’s challenging but when we start trying it on our own, or shifting our gaze from him like Peter did or even listening to some many voices that try to confuse and lie to us. We then realize that we are just floating, looking like everyone else wondering what really makes me different, do i want to be different, or why am I even here. The question is important and where we go to find the answer is equally important. Our choices determine if we look like his vision for us or not.
Thank you dear! Yup that surely is a pretty smile.
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Wow…. I love that last part. Our choices determine if we look like His vision or not. Thanks for reading B
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I really love this. It really just gave me a new understanding of that scripture. God has indeed set me apart to stand out. And the thing about standing out is… More eyes on you, so more chances of persecution. But God has promised to never leave us. And He too was persecuted… But he triumphed at the end! God bless you sis for this post. I needed to hear it!
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Yeah that’s true, if we truly mirror Jesus, then we will be watched just like He was watched, but we know that we will be triumphant. I’m glad you got something out of this post as well. Thanks for reading
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I am always so overwhelmed when i think of the LORD’s love for us. When think of the fact that He alone could ever understand how bones are formed in my mother womb. When I think that before I was even born He has a whole plan for my life!! Thank you for this great post and reminder of who we are in Christ.
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I love how thoughtfully you responded, and I thank God that you used the power of the pause to ask God what you should say. God knows each of us better than we know ourselves, and you are so right. What works for one may or may not work for the other. Way to let God use you!
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Most times, people don’t know who they or their purpose here on earth . That is why they get lost in too many activities. Jeremiah 1:5 talks about God’s purpose for our lives, while Jeremiah 29:11 further explains how beautiful those plans are.
The problem sometimes is that people are not willing to take time out to ask questions, meditate upon those responses they recieve, and most importantly, putting plans in place in line with God’s plan and purpose. They just want to run as fast as they can through life, buy when circumstances arises, they become confused.
Man is the only creation that has the capacity to ask his creator his plan and purpose after creation, no other creation of God can do that. This is one unique feature that God gave man, that is why it’s important to ask your creator what he has in plan for you.
Am sure your friend has a car, and he understands the purpose of his car each time he drives it. This should spark something in his spirit that he is here on a mission.
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Having determined our destiny ahead of time! He already knows our end…..if only we can always be calm abd let him ALWAYS take the wheel!
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