Predestination is when you see a snake, you run into a tree. When we take a close look at biblical writings, you can find that there is considerable tension between the possibility that since God already knows the future, then the future is already predetermined. God may still give you the free will to reject him or accept him and even change your course of history by your choices. Hang on there and do not despair.

If you accept the views of Augustine or Calvin, then you are a supralapsarian or a double-predestinationist. Try saying that after a couple glasses of Merlot. While this doctrine can be found biblically, I will make a strong argument to the contrary using biblically sound study. Check out the predestination theory: Ephesians 1:3-5, Romans 8:28-30, 1 Corinthians 2:7, Acts 4:27-28 and Romans 9:16-18.

For those who choose predestination, then life is already over as every choice, action, situation, the end is a done deal and nothing can be changed.

I am not writing this casually. There have been times in my life when I have done absolutely stupid things and it was as though I couldn't help myself. 

At the same time, when the moment happened, I did have a choice. It's hard to admit I made the wrong choice. Let me digress for just a moment. If Judas just happened to be the man selected as the one to betray Jesus, how dare we blame him when he was predestined?

Has God already done this to me? Is he some cosmic writer who has long finished a book about my history, life and death without passion and all I am is nothing more than a character in a novel? When my book ends, then it will be placed in a library of other books under the heading comedy, tragedy, fantasy or whatever. Maybe my book will have five stars, no stars, easy read, interesting or would make a fine coaster to protect the table top. I don't think so!

We do not worship a God who treats lives as interesting tidbits of history and who sent his don for some while ignoring the rest. We worship the God who loved this world and his children so much that he sent his don for all. 

Sometimes I wish God would not have given us so much freedom of choice that we all make terribly bad choices. This is a mystery I can wait to have answered later on.

The Good News is that we do have the right to choose. Granted, there is accident, sorrow and tragedy as well as joy, success and happiness. This is a life of learning the depths of hurt and the heights of delight. This is a life of making good decisions and recovering after bad decisions. 

This is a life of gaining strength and character through disaster and being able to have compassion and caring for those struggling.

I guess I am responsible for writing my own history book. The title is simply, "Me." I'm not interested in reading my book as my primary concern is living my book.

How's your book coming along? God's reading every page!

Thanks, God!