If Everything is Predetermined, then Why Even Try?

The fact that God has already predetermined everything could feel a little bit deflating. At first glance, it makes me feel like a drone that doesn’t have free will, and just follows the track that’s set out in front of me. What’s the point of even trying hard at work, in relationships, or anything else if the outcome has already been decided?

God didn’t just preordain the final outcome; he preordained the entire process

When I think about this topic of following a preordained path, my tendency is to only recognize the fact that God preordained the OUTCOME. What I need to remind myself of is that God also preordained every step of the entire PROCESS that leads up to the outcome.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say that I have a test coming up. My options are to either study for the test or to NOT study for the test. If I recognize that God has already predetermined the grade that I’ll get, I might be tempted to think, “Welp, there’s no point in me even studying, because God has already chosen the grade that I’ll get.”

While that mentality recognizes the fact that God has already predetermined the OUTCOME (test score), it forgets to recognize that God has also predetermined the PROCESS (studying). In this example, it’s true that God predetermined what grade I’ll get, but he also predetermined every aspect of the entire process like:

  • Whether or not I’ve been paying attention in class

  • How much time I spend studying

  • How much effort I’m willing to put in

  • Etc.

When thinking about the role I play in God’s predetermined reality, I shouldn’t only recognize God’s predetermination of the OUTCOME. I need to also recognize God’s predetermination of every step in the entire PROCESS. In other words, God didn’t just decide what grade I’ll get; he also decided if I’ll be the kind of person who studies for tests.

The process is where growth happens

If I’m tempted to skip the process of studying because “God already determined my grade,” then I would be missing out on a lot of potential growth. The process is often difficult and unenjoyable, but it’s where the real growth happens.

In the test-taking example, the process of studying is what God uses to develop my knowledge, and in other scenarios, God uses the process to develop my character.

I think of James 1:2–4 when it says:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (ESV)

This verse tells me to find joy in the difficult times, because they are part of the process that God uses to make me complete.

It’s human nature to focus on the outcome and look for reasons to skip the process, but if I could always skip directly to the outcome, I would never go through the painful, messy process that God uses to produce so much growth.

Uncovering God’s plan is actually exciting

Sure, God already has a predetermined plan for every outcome, but just because GOD already knows the outcome doesn’t mean that I know the outcome. The fact that God already predetermined everything doesn’t have to be deflating. Instead, I can view it as an adventure where I get to discover what God’s plan is while also getting to experience growth throughout the discovery process.

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