Veto. It’s a word that you hear about in the news from time to time. (No, not Danny DeVito!) Veto is Latin for ‘I forbid’. The veto was initially used in the early Roman Republic where individuals could veto certain measures that they disagreed with.
In my research I found out that there are 2 kinds of vetos - absolute and limited. An absolute veto is used in the United Nations. Once a particular nation vetoes a bill or measure it is dead. Gone. Never to be resurrected in its original form. The limited veto (which is the more common of the two) is used in our system of government. When a bill comes to the President to sign, if he signs it, it becomes law. Instead of signing it, however, he can choose to veto it. This involves not signing it and sending it back to Congress. This means that the bill will die unless it receives a 2/3rds majority vote from Congress. If it does, this is called an ‘override’ and the bill then becomes law. The fact is that most bills, once vetoed, die. An interesting feature of the veto is that it can only stop changes. It can’t adopt or make them. Very interesting stuff.
I say ‘very interesting stuff’ because the concept of the veto has some profound spiritual implications. In His Divine Providence, God has given humankind the power of veto. That’s right. Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, has given mortal humans the right to veto His plans for their lives. Isn’t that incredible to think about? It borders on being insane! If I were an all-powerful God would I give my creatures veto power? Are you kidding? You already know the answer. But then again, I’m not God. Which is a very good thing. For everybody.
In Jeremiah 29:11 we are told, “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, says the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.’” The fact is that God has plans for everyone’s life. These plans were designed way back in eternity past. Long before anything was even created. The Scriptures also tell us that God’s plans are perfect. The best. Yet we can veto God’s plans and will for our lives anytime we want to. That’s right. We can say ‘I forbid’ and it won’t happen. Now God being God, He has the power to override our veto. And He does this from time to time. But most of the time He respects our veto. He quietly retreats. Then He initiates another action in our lives. And we can veto that one, too. Man, this is some pretty heady power that God has given us.
The result is that some people use their power of veto more than Obama hands out stimulus money. And they enjoy it. They are the captain of their own soul. They and they alone will determine how they live their life. Sadly, each time they use their power of veto they drift further and further from their God-given purpose in life. Used enough times, their vetoes will eventually land them in Hell. Unfortunately there is no power of veto in God’s last judgment. His judgment is final. And eternal.
For Christians, the use of the veto, though not quite as devastating, is equally sad. Why are so many Christians not living victory-filled, spiritually-impacting lives? Because they use their power of veto. "Sorry God. I’m not going to do what You want me to do in this matter. Or that one. This one, OK. Oops, not on that one either." And then they wonder why God seems so distant and irrelevant in their lives.
I love the part about a veto being reactive only. That it can only prevent change from occurring. It cannot initiate or adopt change. That is what is truly sad about our use of the veto. Not only does it put us in the place of God in determining what is best for our lives. Not only does reek of pride and disobedience. It also stifles any spiritual growth in our lives. It attempts to keep things as ‘status quo’ which is a lie from the pit of Hell. The reality is that if we are not moving forward spiritually, we are moving backwards. There is no standing still.
So, the next time that the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart about a course of action He wants you to take, stop. Think long and hard before you decide to use your power of veto. Better yet, pray. Ask God to soften your heart. To help you put your veto stamp away. Better yet, give Him the power to destroy it. It will be one of the best decisions that you ever make!
Lord, I thank you for this new insight into spiritual realities. Incredibly You have given me the right to veto any and all of Your actions in my life. I am deeply ashamed of how many times I have used it. To my own detriment. I give You my power of veto. I don’t want to use it any more. I want Your will and only Your will for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In my research I found out that there are 2 kinds of vetos - absolute and limited. An absolute veto is used in the United Nations. Once a particular nation vetoes a bill or measure it is dead. Gone. Never to be resurrected in its original form. The limited veto (which is the more common of the two) is used in our system of government. When a bill comes to the President to sign, if he signs it, it becomes law. Instead of signing it, however, he can choose to veto it. This involves not signing it and sending it back to Congress. This means that the bill will die unless it receives a 2/3rds majority vote from Congress. If it does, this is called an ‘override’ and the bill then becomes law. The fact is that most bills, once vetoed, die. An interesting feature of the veto is that it can only stop changes. It can’t adopt or make them. Very interesting stuff.
I say ‘very interesting stuff’ because the concept of the veto has some profound spiritual implications. In His Divine Providence, God has given humankind the power of veto. That’s right. Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, has given mortal humans the right to veto His plans for their lives. Isn’t that incredible to think about? It borders on being insane! If I were an all-powerful God would I give my creatures veto power? Are you kidding? You already know the answer. But then again, I’m not God. Which is a very good thing. For everybody.
In Jeremiah 29:11 we are told, “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, says the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.’” The fact is that God has plans for everyone’s life. These plans were designed way back in eternity past. Long before anything was even created. The Scriptures also tell us that God’s plans are perfect. The best. Yet we can veto God’s plans and will for our lives anytime we want to. That’s right. We can say ‘I forbid’ and it won’t happen. Now God being God, He has the power to override our veto. And He does this from time to time. But most of the time He respects our veto. He quietly retreats. Then He initiates another action in our lives. And we can veto that one, too. Man, this is some pretty heady power that God has given us.
The result is that some people use their power of veto more than Obama hands out stimulus money. And they enjoy it. They are the captain of their own soul. They and they alone will determine how they live their life. Sadly, each time they use their power of veto they drift further and further from their God-given purpose in life. Used enough times, their vetoes will eventually land them in Hell. Unfortunately there is no power of veto in God’s last judgment. His judgment is final. And eternal.
For Christians, the use of the veto, though not quite as devastating, is equally sad. Why are so many Christians not living victory-filled, spiritually-impacting lives? Because they use their power of veto. "Sorry God. I’m not going to do what You want me to do in this matter. Or that one. This one, OK. Oops, not on that one either." And then they wonder why God seems so distant and irrelevant in their lives.
I love the part about a veto being reactive only. That it can only prevent change from occurring. It cannot initiate or adopt change. That is what is truly sad about our use of the veto. Not only does it put us in the place of God in determining what is best for our lives. Not only does reek of pride and disobedience. It also stifles any spiritual growth in our lives. It attempts to keep things as ‘status quo’ which is a lie from the pit of Hell. The reality is that if we are not moving forward spiritually, we are moving backwards. There is no standing still.
So, the next time that the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart about a course of action He wants you to take, stop. Think long and hard before you decide to use your power of veto. Better yet, pray. Ask God to soften your heart. To help you put your veto stamp away. Better yet, give Him the power to destroy it. It will be one of the best decisions that you ever make!
Lord, I thank you for this new insight into spiritual realities. Incredibly You have given me the right to veto any and all of Your actions in my life. I am deeply ashamed of how many times I have used it. To my own detriment. I give You my power of veto. I don’t want to use it any more. I want Your will and only Your will for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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