Self-Determination (1 of 2)

Come on in. The water is fine (in Louisiana)

These are confusing days. The politics of the second Cold War. An election cycle beginning. The price of oil. Human rights issues. Religious wars. The economy. Globalization. Which direction should you look for guidance? 

You presume my counsel is that you should look to God…but not so fast. There is merit in considering your options, especially when there is a great deal at stake. Looking to God may seem right, but it may not be sensible.  

Personally, I’m in a pinch. I’m fighting battles on multiple fronts: professional, physical, economic, family…now that I start listing them, I’m surrounded. I suspect your report from the battle front is similar.  

But I have some options. My history, training, resume, and abilities confirm that I have resources at my disposal. I have the force of my personality to be persuasive and engaging. I have reasonable intelligence. I have learned that I can think my way out of most any situation. Like a cat, I always land on my feet.  

Perhaps most compelling is that I can determine a course of action toward resolution and relief today. Even a cursory assessment of my options declare the plans I should adopt. Right away.   

I can do this….  

And in so doing, declare with William Ernest Henley that “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.”  

The troubling thing about personal resources is that they can be independently engaged instead of first being empowered by God. Stress is a powerful motivator to act quickly; to determine the expedient route; to do what seems rational and escape the heat of the battle. Sensibility, expedience, and rationality are not necessarily indicators of God’s will.  

All of the personal options I listed earlier are God-given abilities, but please note: God is not mentioned in my listing of personal resources. Therein is the problem and my point.