Free will and divine sovereignty are compatible — sovereignty means ultimate control, not micromanagement of every choice

Mike uses a parenting analogy: parents set boundaries and environment, but children make choices within that space. God's sovereignty means he has an overarching plan that incorporates human free choices without eliminating them. In one sense God wills all to accept Christ, but it is not his will that they do so under duress — he wants willing acceptance. Those who reject Christ are outside his desires but within his permissive plan.