Author: Rev. Richard Omorodion
Number of pages: 152
Reviewer: Femi Adesina
This is defining book that brings new dimensions in to a complex and controversial issue in Christianity and life generally. Destiny, predestination.
Are Christians victims of things that are already settled, cast in concrete, even without their own consent? Can they sit back, fold their hands and say whatever they are going through is beyond their powers, as it is already written in their starts? That is what the author explores in this book, Choice Makes Destiny.
Read also: ‘You need more than Christianity or religion to lead successfully’
Our Pastor, teacher, instructor and motivator at Foursquare Gospel Church, Omole for almost two decades, and who went on to become General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Felix Meduoye weighed in on the matter. In the foreword to the book, he writes:
“Many, unfortunately, would point to their challenging family upbringing, past mistakes and poor judgments including their race and gender as reasons why they cannot attain a particular height or goal in life. The book has succinctly corrected such mindsets and offered needed encouragement to everyone to strive for their best in life, no matter their past or their present situations, trusting in the efficacy of prayer, perseverance and an unyielding faith in the goodness and power of God.’’
This reviewer, in the blurb to the book, also gives a summary of the entire work Am l trapped by destiny and predetermination? Is my life inevitably guided and conditioned by destiny, which l was not privy to, and to which l didn’t consent? Am l helpless trapped, held captive by destiny already set in stone, cast in concrete? The book says no.
“In the instructive, revelatory pages, the book teaches us that we are not robots, controlled by the ineluctable vagaries of life, but free moral agents who can determine our destiny by choices we make. Choice trumps destiny. Prayer equally overrides destiny. And so does divined intervention.
The book is in 7 chapters, and each one looks at destiny, choice, free will, divine intervention, in different dimensions.
Chapter 1 dwells on definitions. What is destiny? The author quotes many sources.
Google: “The event that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future-the hidden power believed to control what will happen in the future; fate.”
Collins English Dictionary: “the future destined for a person or thing; fortune; lot. The predetermined or inevitable course of events.”
Wikipedia: “A predetermined course of event. It may be conceived as predetermined future, whether in general or for an individual.’’
Noting that predetermination is common to all the definitions, the author states that destiny is a matter of choice – accepting conditions as they are or accepting the responsibility to change them.
Rev. Omorodion posits further: ” l believe that one’s inability to make the right choice should not be equated with destiny.
“In other words; if someone fails to make the right choices that could have liberated them from a challenging situation and ultimately led to a significant failure in life, they should not conclude that their inaction is destiny.”
Chapter 2 focuses on Jesus Christ’s Destiny vs Judas Iscariot’s. And what was the author saying here? Part of the divine plan was that a man would betray Jesus. But was Judas destined to the man? No. That is where the concept of choice comes into play. The lifestyle and choice made by Judas made him vulnerable to being used by Satan.
Chapter 3 is titled Reason (s) Behind a person’s destiny may not be known, and the author dwells on divine mystery here. For instance, why did God choose Jacob over Esau. Why did the mother of Jabez place a curse on her poor son?
Man does not have answers to all the questions of life, and because of that, some people have accepted whatever comes their way, whether good or bad, with the supposedly comforting statement of, ‘it is my destiny and there is nothing l can do about it.’’
But chapter 4 gives an answer to the puzzle. Titled They that call on the Lord, it submits that we need to fervently pray for divine intervention to thwart the schemes of the enemy, who seeks to disrupt the good work that God has ordained in our lives.
Prayer is the means to counteract and halt the operations of forces of darkness. The case of Jabez was thoroughly examined, and he became victorious through prayers.
Faith without works is Dead is the title of the next chapter, which emphasizes the need for faith and prayer.
The author anchors his point on the fact that prayer guides good choices, clears the mind and spiritual eyes, unclouds negativities from one’s thoughts for better choices, and maintains sweet fellowship with the Holy Spirit who influences our choices, if we yield to Him.
The penultimate chapter looks in to consequences of bad choices vs God’s Mercy.
Hear the author: “God created us with an understanding of our human weaknesses. He knew that freedom of choice would often lead us in to trouble, given that we are imperfect beings, therefore, He offers us second, third and even fourth chances to make things right.
“Most bad choices are made out of ignorance, or simply put, sincerity of heart. Because of this, God who knows all things and considers the intention behind every action, often intervenes to turn our mistakes to miracles, especially when the person involved is sincere, repentant, and loves God.’’
Now, let’s hear the conclusion of the whole matter. The place of prayer in making choices, which is the focus of chapter 7.
Prayer brings clarity to our choices. It helps us to align our inner thoughts with that of God, thus guiding our choices.
There are always consequences for bad choices, but God does not abandon. He still helps us out.
God is not a dictator. His workings in our lives depend on our choices, because we are not robots but humans with free minds to make choices. Choice makes destiny, and there’s always a way out through divine intervention, when we make wrong choices.
The book is written in a free-flowing style, and quite easy to read and comprehend. And every major point made is backed with relevant scripture. I recommend it for everyone here, and the Church universal.
