When It\'s My Time
I was at McDonald’s recently to grab an unhealthy lunch, noticing someone I knew in line ahead of me. After ordering we visited a bit while waiting on our food. We commiserated about health issues and then he said, “I’ve decided not to worry about my health; when it’s my time to go it’s my time to go. God has a plan for our lives, and I just need to stop worrying.”
Now, I agree with one thing. There is no good reason to worry about what we can’t control (Matthew 6:34). And although we might want to make plans to take care of our health, we don’t need to worry about things we can control either, we should just take action. But I disagree with the rest of what he said about “when it’s my time” and “God has a plan for our lives.” Why would I disagree, you might ask?
If you are reading this, tell me, do you think the date and time of your death is predetermined by God? Let me be specific, if you die of a long lingering case of cancer, was that God at work, leading you to that foregone death? If you die from absent mindedly walking in front of a truck, was that how God planned it? I don’t think so, and don’t really think you believe that either. You see, those that say “When it’s my time, it’s my time” either knowingly, or most often unknowingly, are adopting a Calvinistic Predestination position. Part of the view of John Calvin was that God predetermines everything. We really have no choice in the matter. This doctrine of Calvin even believes God predetermines who will be saved and who will be lost. And for out topic, when we will die. I strongly disagree.
This view does away with free will. From the beginning in the Bible, Adam and Eve had choices to make. They ate of the forbidden fruit, sin entered the world (we’ve all participated in sinning against God) thus corrupting the world we live in. This results in all the bad stuff we experience. God doesn’t want the bad stuff, nor cause it. He loves us, and to provide for our salvation he put in motion a grand plan to save us through a Messiah, who would make the ultimate sacrifice (God in the flesh, Jesus, perfect, dying for imperfect mankind). We even have a choice concerning the Messiah. Will we accept him and follow him, obey him in faith? Or will we reject him and live life following self or some manufactured god? The choices we make impact our health also. Will we eat too much and get diabetes? Will we smoke and get cancer? Will we drive recklessly, have a wreck, and kill ourselves and maybe others? Choices impact the way our life goes. God does not generally set a day and time for our death.
That leads to the second statement, that “God has a plan for our lives.” Does he? Have you figured it out yet, for yourself? I’ve heard numerous people over the years talk about God’s plan for their life, then admit they are struggling to find the plan for career, for marriage, for Christian service, etc. Seems odd, doesn’t it? Why would this plan be hidden from us? It’s another example of Predestination. How about this alternate idea, which I believe is biblical? Maybe God simply has a plan, to save us through Jesus, then to grow us as disciples and use us in service, with many options for such service. The question is not “what is God’s plan for my life,” but rather, “will I plug my life into God’s plan.”
So, take stock of catchy “Christian” sayings that pop up, but may not have a basis in biblical truth. Live your life with purpose, as a Christian who submits to the teaching of God’s Word to build character and provide options for service, for as long as you live. Don’t worry but be intentional. Then, whatever eventually causes our death, it will be one that has hope because of the faith in Christ we have chosen. Meanwhile, don’t go to McDonald’s too often.
Now, I agree with one thing. There is no good reason to worry about what we can’t control (Matthew 6:34). And although we might want to make plans to take care of our health, we don’t need to worry about things we can control either, we should just take action. But I disagree with the rest of what he said about “when it’s my time” and “God has a plan for our lives.” Why would I disagree, you might ask?
If you are reading this, tell me, do you think the date and time of your death is predetermined by God? Let me be specific, if you die of a long lingering case of cancer, was that God at work, leading you to that foregone death? If you die from absent mindedly walking in front of a truck, was that how God planned it? I don’t think so, and don’t really think you believe that either. You see, those that say “When it’s my time, it’s my time” either knowingly, or most often unknowingly, are adopting a Calvinistic Predestination position. Part of the view of John Calvin was that God predetermines everything. We really have no choice in the matter. This doctrine of Calvin even believes God predetermines who will be saved and who will be lost. And for out topic, when we will die. I strongly disagree.
This view does away with free will. From the beginning in the Bible, Adam and Eve had choices to make. They ate of the forbidden fruit, sin entered the world (we’ve all participated in sinning against God) thus corrupting the world we live in. This results in all the bad stuff we experience. God doesn’t want the bad stuff, nor cause it. He loves us, and to provide for our salvation he put in motion a grand plan to save us through a Messiah, who would make the ultimate sacrifice (God in the flesh, Jesus, perfect, dying for imperfect mankind). We even have a choice concerning the Messiah. Will we accept him and follow him, obey him in faith? Or will we reject him and live life following self or some manufactured god? The choices we make impact our health also. Will we eat too much and get diabetes? Will we smoke and get cancer? Will we drive recklessly, have a wreck, and kill ourselves and maybe others? Choices impact the way our life goes. God does not generally set a day and time for our death.
That leads to the second statement, that “God has a plan for our lives.” Does he? Have you figured it out yet, for yourself? I’ve heard numerous people over the years talk about God’s plan for their life, then admit they are struggling to find the plan for career, for marriage, for Christian service, etc. Seems odd, doesn’t it? Why would this plan be hidden from us? It’s another example of Predestination. How about this alternate idea, which I believe is biblical? Maybe God simply has a plan, to save us through Jesus, then to grow us as disciples and use us in service, with many options for such service. The question is not “what is God’s plan for my life,” but rather, “will I plug my life into God’s plan.”
So, take stock of catchy “Christian” sayings that pop up, but may not have a basis in biblical truth. Live your life with purpose, as a Christian who submits to the teaching of God’s Word to build character and provide options for service, for as long as you live. Don’t worry but be intentional. Then, whatever eventually causes our death, it will be one that has hope because of the faith in Christ we have chosen. Meanwhile, don’t go to McDonald’s too often.