Compelled

1 Corinthians 9:16 (NLT)

I am compelled by God to do it.

There's a common misconception that God Almighty does not compel or force anyone to do anything because He has given us free will. This amounts to portraying the Almighty as a benevolent sugar daddy who has no control over His creation or His creatures. It is also scripturally incorrect to assume that God doesn't compel or force anyone to do His will. We see the exact opposite of this happening with Jonah. The Lord called Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh, but he chose to run away from God. Did God let him go his way and exercise his free will? No. God created the perfect storm to compel or force Jpnah to submit to His will. Only then was Jonah freed from the belly of the whale and the depths of the ocean. God is not impotent but omnipotent and can override our will to accomplish His purposes. He can compel us until we choose Him freely. Such are the sons of God brought into glory. They are the ones who obediently say to the Father, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."