I’d like suggestions for phrases I can use which signify I am leaving things to God.
Things like ‘God willing’ and ‘please God’ -
“I’ll see you on Sunday, God willing/ please God”. Suggesting that my life is in God’s hands.
Any suggestions?
For a while I went around using “God willing,” because I thought it was an act of humility. It turns out it also made me feel overly pious and a bit awkward at times, especially when I had to use it more than once in the same conversation. So not using it is “boasting” according to the bible, and using it was awkward.
So I did two things. First, I made a blanket prayer to the Lord, something like this, “Lord, I know that I cannot predict even whether I will be alive in the future, so any time I say I ‘will’ do something, please take it to mean that I am making an effort but with the knowledge that I cannot control the future.”
Second, I found ways to say things that didn’t have the literal problem of being arrogant. In other words, instead of, “tomorrow I will go to the store,” I’ll say, “I’ll plan on going to the store tomorrow.” So we’ve fixed the theological issue with boasting about control of the future because right now, you honestly do plan to make that happen – and without sounding like I’m throwing religion in people’s faces. Or instead of, “I’ll meet you at 10,” I’ll say, “I’m looking forward to meeting you at 10.” It may sound like the same thing, but to me there is a vast difference because the second one is a statement of NOW, how I feel NOW, what I NOW plan to use my will and resources to do, rather than a statement of what the FUTURE will actually come out to be like.
Every now and then, I still say, “God willing,” but infrequently enough that it sounds special when I use it and not just a disclaimer I throw on everything. Because (step 1 above) I already have a disclaimer in place with God that trumps other ones. I just don’t like to take advantage of it on purpose. I mean face it; sometimes it’s just awkward. Like if an authority figure says, “you had BETTER be there by NOON tomorrow. Do you UNDERSTAND?” In cases like that, it might just be better to say, “yes sir” or “yes ma’am,” and do your best to show up, confident that God knows you aren’t boasting but just obeying authorities who might not react well to, “well I might be there, God willing and the creek don’t rise.”
Alan
