I’m Not on God’s AutoPilot
written by
jaron summers (c) 2025
“God has placed in you everything you need to be successful—quit outsourcing!”
This well-meaning quote has been sent to me repeatedly, and while I recognize it may offer encouragement to some, I feel it’s important to explain why it doesn’t sit comfortably with me.
First, the message carries a strong scent of predestination — the belief that some divine force has already programmed each of us with all the tools, direction, and fate we need to succeed.
To me, this outlook diminishes personal agency. It suggests a pre-written script, one that can’t account for the chaos, unfairness, and randomness we see daily in the world.
If we’re all “programmed” for success, then why do so many capable, kind, and hardworking people suffer or fail?
Even more troubling is the implication that God (or a god) micromanages the talents and fortunes of every human being. That kind of cosmic time management raises questions not only about free will but about divine accountability.
If God gave me “everything I need” and I still stumble or sin, is that on me—or on the programmer? If a child is born into poverty or abuse, does that mean God installed the wrong software?
This leads me to a broader question: Which God are we talking about? There are thousands of deities humans have worshipped over the centuries — from Yahweh to Zeus, from Allah to Odin, from Shiva to the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Is this encouragement rooted in a specific theological framework? If so, perhaps it’s worth clarifying. Because if the sender assumes their concept of God is universal, they’re likely speaking past me entirely.
To be clear, I respect a person’s right to their faith. But faith is not one-size-fits-all. My own beliefs don’t include a deity who scripts our lives in advance, or who inserts “success codes” at birth like a cosmic software engineer.
I believe in effort, randomness, community, and choice. I believe we each assemble ourselves through trial, error, and — occasionally — wisdom. We don’t come pre-assembled, and that’s part of the beauty of being human.
So while I appreciate the gesture, I’d gently ask that messages like this not be sent with the assumption that they will land the way they’re intended.
They don’t.
