G.M. Sunshine Devotionals

Have you ever planned a travel route but without foreknowledge of roadblocks, accidents, or obstructions found yourself in a bit of a pickle, thinking that if only you had known, you would have chosen a different route?

Proverbs 16:9 ESV says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Free will gives us the ability to plan and decide where we will go and how we will get there. But, without the ability to foresee what lies ahead, we have absolutely no idea how or if it will actually pan out. But the Lord’s great power and ability is much more advanced than any GPS system. He can set up alternate routes and/or put into motion a favorable position despite how the circumstances may appear at first. He establishes (introduces, brings about, stabilizes, and makes recognizable) the opportunities in ways we never thought possible. He can allow our steps to grow and multiply even when others condemn, abandon, misjudge, or misuse us. But God stepping in, is actually unlocked by our invitation. We must invite him in to move as he pleases, not as we want him to.

Many people don’t realize that, like the prior example, if we use our free will to plan and execute, and then invite God in to help see us through the rest of the way – or to help us when we get stuck in our difficult situation; When he comes in to save the day, we are actually operating in his Permissive Will. We all do it from time to time. We treat God as our helper but not necessarily as our Shepherd. A Shepherd leads, but a helper assists in establishing the plans that were already laid out.

There are many notions on what God’s permissive will really is. But simply put, it’s utilizing the helper of the Lord to come alongside you in your predetermined walk. So why does God seem to engage in permissive so much. It’s pretty simple really. God never misses out on an invitation. God is always prepared to answer, no matter the situation. If we can hear his voice and allow him to take the lead, he will.

Proverbs 16:1 AMP says that “The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man, But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” The Lord has granted us this free will to plan and think freely, but he determines the answer that would be established, he authorizes what happens next, he institutes and enacts the things that are meant to be specifically for you, beyond doubt. Basically, the Lord has the final say.

Remember that, God is a God of order. He will not take away another person’s free will by changing their lives, mindset, personality, or attitude in life, without their willingness, consent, desire, or approval – in order for them to fit into your desires for your own life. For many, that utterly changes how our future (God’s established answer) will look, as many don’t calculate that important fact. God’s permissive and also his perfect will, WILL prompt, WILL address, and WILL confront when necessary; But, we ultimately have to make the choice of whom we will serve (submit our free will to). Hence, begins our quest on what the freedom of free-will actually looks like, the maneuvering of our invitations/requests, the permissions granted through God’s permissive will, and the maturing progression into God’s Perfect will.

Be blessed,

G.M.