“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
Think back to your childhood and you will most likely remember the story of a wooden boy named Pinnochio who was attached to strings and magically came to life. He is one of the most famous marionette characters ever created. Originally published as a novel in 1883, The Adventures of Pinnochio has been adapted many times, the best known of which is most likely the animated feature created by Walt Disney. Anyone who grew up in the early days of TV will remember another well-known marionette by the name of Howdy Doody. He, along with the show’s host, Buffalo Bob, conducted the pioneer children’s program that became famous for the line “It’s Howdy Doody Tiime” which ran on NBC from 1947 to 1960. Interestingly enough – there is documented evidence that marionettes, string and wire controlled puppets, were used throughout history, some say as early as 2000 BC.
In today’s society, we can find strings attached to much of the world around us, ranging from physical confinement to the manipulative controls others attempt to exercise over us. It’s everywhere. When I take my daily walk, I notice the sign stating “All dogs must be on a leash” at the entrance to the recreational park where I get my exercise. Whenever I have been in big cities, I have observed professional dog walkers strolling with many canines at one time. I think there has to be a knack to that accomplishment. Leashing children has taken on strong opinions from those who want to do the utmost to keep their child safe while others say that doing so is simply lazy parenting. And beware of the strings attached to that credit card for which you just enrolled or the mortgage contract you recently signed. What seems like a good deal today may come back to haunt you in a short period of time.
From the beginning of creation, God has always desired a ‘no strings attached’ relationship with mankind. He could have commanded that we love Him, but then we would truly been no different than the stringed puppets previously mentioned. Without the ability to choose for ourselves, we would have been less than human; merely a body controlled by a higher power. Theological discussions about ‘free will’ can become very deep and confusing, sometimes to the point that they defy logic. Suffice it to say that each one of us is inherently sinful by nature, but we can freely choose which path we will follow. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Even though He deeply desires to fellowship with us, we are free to accept or reject God. Jesus said, “everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). But He also stated, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50).
Free will should be valued as a unique human quality. Ultimately it is a choice between life and death. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Free will carried many a soul to hell, but never a soul to heaven.” If we make the decision to follow the teachings of Jesus and align our will with that of God’s, we then will to constrain the kinds of things we say and do. We come to realize that true free will isn’t freedom to be sinful but rather the desire to receive the grace of God we so do not deserve, move beyond our inherited fallen state, and be destined for eternity. That’s a journey worth taking for sure. Jesus said: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (John 7:17). So don’t ever be mistaken about God’s intention. He won’t connect us to wires or otherwise manipulate what we do with our lives. He doesn’t tie us to a leash to keep us within His grasp. God pulls at our heartstrings instead, for love freely given is so much more valuable.
REFLECTION: Do you sometimes find it frustrating when you are not allowed to make your own decisions? How is your relationship with God different when you realize He gives you the freedom to choose the direction of your thoughts, words, and actions? Is there argument for the fact that belief in the concept of free will can equip you to be a better person? How would you react to a statement from another that free will in its truest form cannot coexist with belief in God?
(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., AUGUST 1, 2015. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)