The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren is a book packed with scriptures to back up every principle he writes. In the second day, he talks about “you are not an accident.” Scripture after scripture is given to show no matter what are circumstances are surrounding our birth, God had conceived us in his mind.
I suppose that I struggle sometimes with each of us being born differently. Some of us have disabilities, others are gifted beyond imagination, very smart, beautiful, talented while some are slower developmentally, born with birth defects etc.
Then I have to remember that in Isaiah 44:2a “I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.” Another scripture Rick Warren uses is Psalms 139:16 ‘You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your Book.” To me, I find comfort that God knew when I would be born and that He knows when I will be called home and the fact that He records every day of my life in His book is totally amazing.
When I journal this second day, I have to admit that I do not understand the “why” behind the children who are born with life threatening illnesses. For those who have illnesses that will shorten their lives. But, as a Christian, I know I must by faith realize that no one “is an accident.” God knew before each person is born how that individual will be formed.
Have we not all asked God, “Why?” I had a healthy child while my sister and her husband had two very unhealthy children. Their first daughter lived to be a little over a year when she was called home. The second baby was a little boy who lived only a few days.
Day 2 is about the faith we place in God realizing He makes no mistakes. We are who we are, created by our Heavenly Father. We need to embrace the truth of this lesson in that “We are not an accident.” “God loves us and always will.” We must love Him because He first loved us. For those of us suffer from self esteem this is a difficult concept to grasp. But….we must!
How true it is!!! So many people think that they are not suppose to be here. That it was just a bad mistake. But God had a plan and still has a plan for their life.
People are definitely not a mistake. I tend to look at children born with illnesses or those born that don’t live long a lesson to those of us that are here and healthy. I have learned a lot from those who have disabilities and deaths that seem just too soon. I have learned to value my life and my families. I have learned how I should live by those who may be mentally handicapped. I believe they are actually smarter than I am because they see the true value in God and how to love him. Where as a person like me worries about everything else before going to God like I should. So I have learned more from them then any “normal” (if you can really call it normal) person has ever taught me
. God doesn’t make mistakes he makes all that seems ugly very BEAUTIFUL 
. God is good!
No one has yet shown me where in the Bible it says that God causes every choice/decision/action we make — whether BEFORE we were born or AFTER. KNOWLEDGE of everything that will happen in the future is not the same as CAUSATION of everything that will happen in the future. If this were not true there would be no reason or need for decision-making or choices by us, including the choice to follow Jesus. God’s plan is the same for everyone: to follow Jesus’ teaching, to serve God with all our power, and to love everyone. It is blasphemy to claim that God has made all of our decisions for us (whether before our conception or ever).
We need to accept the responsibility for all of our decisions, whether we accept Jesus’ teaching or not.
Ron
Response to Ron’s comment………
Psalm 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. (KJV)
Ron….You are absolutely correct. The error in the above post deals with the translation used in Psalm 139:16. The translation was the LVB version.
The point Desert Rose was trying to make is that we are not an accident; we were created by design. There was some confusion regarding your response and the only reason I could see was the translation of that particular verse which definitely does not match up with the KJV. It is misleading and as you put it….blasphemous.
Who we are and our personalities are shaped by our parents and the influences that are brought into our lives. There comes a point when we must take responsibility for the choices we make. Whether those choices were made in accordance to God’s will for our lives or in disobedience; we must own the responsibility.
I like your statement on KNOWLEDGE versus CAUSATION. Even though God can look down through time and KNOW what we will do….foreknowledge….WE make the choices which plot our path. WE choose to accept or reject truth.
If you read the book, I don’t believe Rick Warren’s intention was anything more than God knew us before we are born. If you continue in this particular chapter, He goes on to say “But there is a God who made you for a reason and your life has profound meaning.”
Please remember, I am journaling, and I encourage you to read The Purpose Driven Life so you can benefit from the entire book. Rick Warren believes we must surrounder ourselves, live for God with our whole heart, and allow Him to direct our paths.”
When I looked up the word “blasphemous” I have to admit I was taken back, because in no way did the author make such a statemtn for that comment nor did I. I did take the time to look at several translations of that particular verse and found the thought in one other translation. I also read the commentary notes from Barnes. “Blasphemy is the disrespectful use of God, it is also defined as a languaging expressing disapproved beliefs, irreverance considering something sacred.”
Sometimes one needs to look at the attitude and context and in my case, blasphemy was not nor ever intended.
Thank you each for your input.