(Cross-posted from The Ones You Didn't Hear in Sunday School)
There have been times where I needed to make a decision about something, and so I would sort of leave things to fate. If such-and-such happens, I would tell myself, I’ll do this; and if the thus-and-such happens, I’ll do the other thing. In a way, I was leaving the matter in God’s hands; which might sound very pious and worthy, except that almost invariably events always fell out so that I’d wind up having to make the decision for myself anyway. It was as if God was saying, “Oh no, you don’t! You aren’t getting out of it that easily! It’s your decision, YOU make it!”
So I pretty much know better than to try making those sorts of deals with God anymore. They never turn out they way I expect.
Although they’ve never gone as badly as they once did for a guy named Jephthah.