Living with the Awareness of God's Will
During the first presidential debate, Biden introduced a new phrase to the American people. “Inshallah”
To many, the moment probably went unnoticed except by the Arabic speaking people. InshAllah or In sha Allah is an Arabic expression that means “God willing” or “if God wills.” This phrase is used by Muslims, Arab Christians, and Arabic speakers of other religions. This phrase is often used to refer to events that we hope happen. The belief is that nothing happens unless God wants it to happen. His will supersedes our will.
During the debate, the moderator asked Trump about his tax returns; President Trump said, “You’ll get to see it.” to which Biden added, “When? Inshallah?”
Some say the phrase can also mean “it will never happen,” depending on the intent in which it is used. While some viewers may have felt offended by Biden, the truth is that we should all be mindful of the fact that God's sovereignty guides our lives.
We live in an unpredictable world; we can never know what, when, or if things will happen. Take a look a , for example. The scripture says:
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
As Christians, we have to live by faith, faith that what we wish to accomplish will unfold according to God's plan. But should we stop making plans because our life is uncertain? I’d say no, we don’t stop making plans and wait for something to happen on its own; however, how we think about our plans, our attitudes, and mindset matters. It matters because our attitudes must reflect the truth about how we live life with respect to the connection we have with God. God wants the truth about himself to be part of our reason for living. I recall a personal experience where I had made elaborate plans for a mission trip, only to have it cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. It was a difficult pill to swallow, but it taught me to trust in God's timing and purpose. For instance, I had to adjust my plans when a severe storm hit our area, forcing me to postpone a community event. As I prayed and sought God's guidance, I realized that the storm had given me an opportunity to serve my community in a different way, by helping with relief efforts. I also think about a friend who had been planning to start a new business, but struggled to find the right location. After months of searching, she finally found a spot, only to discover that the previous owner had left behind a thriving community garden. Instead of tearing it down, she decided to incorporate it into her business plan, using it as a way to build relationships with her customers and give back to the community. We can’t just make plans without considering the bigger picture and the role God plays in it. Our life's brevity and its duration are in God’s hands, a reality that should shape our perspective and inform our decisions. This understanding should seep into our daily lives, influencing the way we approach our goals and aspirations, recognizing that God's guidance is essential for our success.
God governs what we accomplish, so next time we make plans, we need to remember to seek His direction and surrender to His purposes, acknowledging that God makes our path forward clear through His wisdom and guidance.
