Checked the Weather Yet? — part 4

Gonna rain today or not? Pouring down here right now.

And how hot’s it gonna be? Seems kinda chilly to me.

No matter what the weather or anything else brings our way, this Dietrich Bonhoeffer prayer says what some of us need to say:

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me.

Quick Question: Does God really have everything planned out?

My Short Answer: My reading of the Bible, my tradition, my understanding, and my experience all combine to tell me both Yes and No.

Keep reading.

My Medium Answer, first part: Some believe in God’s Predestination…that God has everything that happens already lined up and it’s all going along according to plan.

Sorta like a puppet show.

My Medium Answer, second part: Others believe in God’s Foreknowledge…that God sees all the myriad ways life can unfold but leaves it to us to make choices, take actions, and experience consequences along the way.

Sorta like the parallel universes in the tv show Fringe.

Please keep reading.

My Final Answer: Yes, God has plans, but No, God doesn’t insist on us following them. And let’s face it: “stuff happens.”

And you know what’s coming: yes, please keep reading.

All of which brings me back today to our friend Dietrich’s prayer:

I do not understand your ways,

But you know the way for me.

The question remains, will you and I choose the best way today or not?

See you back here tomorrow.