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Self-Determination
March 2, 2019

Is it self-determination or stubborness? I suppose it could be a matter of opinion. For instance, when I take my four-legged furry friend for a walk, he will sometimes stop and sniff. Sometimes there seems to be more stopping and sniffing than walking. There are those days when he seems to lunge into the bushes, and takes me along without first asking if I wanted to go. Then are those moments where I find myself pivoted in mid-stride and walking in direction I had not intended to go, always grateful I did not twist my ankle. I look at my furry friend and conclude stubborn. From the look in his eyes, I clearly see self-determination with a good measure of being pleased with himself. I wonder sometimes if God and Jesus look at me with the same thoughts I have regarding my furry friend. I look to the Book of Proverbs and advice given thousands of years ago that is just as compelling now as when first written down. The first few verses of Proverbs chapter sixteen show how important it is to be right with God, and how this can be a foundation for all we do. These verses also reveal that although self-determination begins with us, when we are right with God, it is God who will guide us in our journey of life.

Proverbs 16:1-9
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Similarly, when Jesus was calling his disciples, he was looking for people with self-determination aligned to the mission of preaching the Gospel. A man wanted to be one of those disciples and displayed self-determination, yet his self-determination was focused on taking care of his family and aging parents instead of doing the work of God, very noble of this person. Yet Jesus gave a response that should remind us of Lot's wife, who when she looked back was turned into a pillar of salt. Jesus reminds us that if we commit ourselves to preaching the gospel of the kingdom to the world and we move away from it, even for something that might seem very noble, we are unfit to be in the Kingdom of God.

Luke 9:57-62
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Paul will help us conclude our review of self-determination in his letter to the Philippians, when simply stated, he said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me." It makes no difference if we live a life of ease, or a life full of burdens. Self-determination is viewed as theory with autonomy, relatedness, and competence as important components. Self-determination fits within our faith as people can individually choose to follow or not follow God and Jesus, and we have chosen to follow. We are nurtured by others who also have a spiritual calling as well as God and Jesus. Finally, we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in good times and in bad times.

Philippians 4:10-13
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

In life, and in faith, it is not about what we have but about our committed focus to the Kingdom of God. With that focus we will plan our steps never looking back, and God will lead us forward to His Kingdom on our incredible journey of life.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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