Reaching for your Destiny

Have you ever wondered whether there is a plan and purpose for your life? Whether God really does have something important for you to do? And if so, how do you find it out and then walk in it? In Psalm 139:16 says, "Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." In other words God fashioned your destiny before you were even born. He is the Master Potter who sculpted you and brought your future into existence. Yes, even before you were formed in your mother's womb, God was sketching out your life.

But what life did God design for you? Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and an expected future.” I looked up that word “expected” and found it to mean "an expectation for the thing that one longs for." There are things that God longs for - longs to fulfil in your life. According to this scripture, He longs to prosper you, and to give you a hope and a future. Surely, we all wish those things were fully established in our lives!

Did you know that you have a "holy" calling from God? In 2 Timothy 1:9 the scripture tell us what kind of calling we have and why... "Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” This “calling” has nothing to do with how talented we think we are, and it’s not because we are gifted - even though He uses our natural abilities. It’s because of who He is. And because this is a divine calling it makes your destiny holy. He has designed you, and “called” you to meet a need in the body of Christ that nobody else can meet. This is a sacred duty. Your life was predestined to have true meaning -- to fulfil God's holy plans and purposes.

But how do we allow God to establish His divine plans in our everyday plans? First, we need to understand that our lives do not belong to us anymore. Our lives have been purchased by God through the blood of His son Jesus. Therefore, God must be the one who orders our steps - not ourselves, or others. Jeremiah 10:23-24 says it so clearly, “I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, Lord, but only with justice -- not in Your anger, lest You reduce me to nothing.” (NIV) You must accept that your life is predestined to conform to His “holy calling”. You do not determine your own destiny, you are to discover God's destiny for you. If you go through life creating your own future, you will miss God's perfect will for your life and suffer the consequences. Following God’s plan relieves unnecessary stress. You do not have to create your destiny. You only need to go to God and ask Him what is next on the agenda. Then, be at peace and trust Him with the outcome.

Psalm 16:11 tells us that the Lord makes known His path of life to us; "You always show me the path that leads to life." It’s important to learn to hear God's voice so that you can clearly have a vision for your future. You may make mistakes as you ‘walk out’ your destiny, and things will probably happen that you didn't expect, but God does have a contingency plan. So you don't ever have to worry - He's got you covered! Just love Him, stay close to Him, be quick to repent, and His divine plan will be accomplished in your life. Make sure you have a quiet time everyday with the Lord. It is not always easy to have quality time with God (in a world that has you spinning like a top). But it is vital that you make quality time with Him - in order that your God-given purpose be revealed. This close relationship is necessary and it takes effort on your part to get close to God. However, the rewards are truly out of this world! Being in God’s presence produces a harvest of blessing - a truly prosperous and successful future.

Notice, you have been summoned into His Majesty's service and He expects you to complete His plans and purpose for your life. I like what Colossians 4:17 says, "Take heed to the ministry (official service) which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfil it (complete it to His satisfaction)." Wow, I like the "official service" aspect! Those of you who thought that being 'just a homemaker’ or 'just a labourer’ or any other 'just a' position, can now realise that you serve in a very lofty position. You have a “royal calling” that is important enough for the King of Kings to summon you to personally.

Ephesians 2:10 is worth memorising and confessing, "For we are God's own handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus (born again), that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us, that we should walk in them (taking the paths which He prepared ahead of time)." There is an abundant life which He pre-arranged (made ready) for us to walk in. We were created to do the things God predestined for us. Therefore, genuine fulfilment only comes from understanding your true destiny?

Too many of people identify the Christian experience with a set of learned religious behaviours - a list of “do’s” and “don’ts”. But beware, this approach will make you disenchanted and you may find that your Christian walk is empty and wanting. What you must first understand (and fully comprehend) is that you have been created for a purpose that’s so much bigger than just ‘doing the right thing’. After that, you can discover the joy that comes when you own the assignment you have been given! Yes, peace and joy will come to you when you take “full ownership” of your God-given destiny!

All of us must learn practical ways to find out how God has equipped us to fulfil our destiny. We must:

Discover ways to recognise our "God-assignment".
Defeat the enemies of personal fulfilment. Those things that hinder us from reaching our destiny.
Learn to draw strength from the Divine - to live God’s design.

Yes, we can acknowledge that there is a plan… That there is an assignment… That there is a purpose for our lives! And that all of this is in fact good and beneficial. How many times have you heard people say that they want to live the abundant life? Well, there it is! God's plan for you is the abundant life. This world system has nothing good to offer. This world is only temporal - but God's world is eternal. God's 'good life' is worth having and striving for. Therefore, I encourage you to seek after God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and to reach higher than you have ever reached before. Apprehend the good life He has predestined for you. It is worth reaching for - its worth grabbing hold of! In the Book of Proverbs it says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. And in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths". God has already mapped out the path He wants you to take with Him. You are not doing this alone. He is the One leading you, however, you must be willing to do it His way. If you haven't already discovered that God's way is the best way - you will. But it’s better find out without hardship.

Note also, patience is a necessity when you’re walking down the path He has called you to walk down with Him. And please understand that God really does want you to succeed and prosper. He takes absolute pleasure in the prosperity of His children. God's way is the only way you will fulfil your destiny and complete it successfully. So do exactly what the scripture says, and “don’t rely on your own reasoning or understanding.” Remembering always that His thoughts are not your thoughts!

Are you willing to give up your ways? You may ‘think’ you know the best way to live your life, but only God knows what is truly best for you. He has given you a handbook on how to live your life. It is the Bible - His infallible Word. It has every answer you will ever need (concerning any area of your life), especially your destiny. He wants you to read your Life Manual so that He confirm how much He loves you, accepts you, and desires to share an intimate relationship with you. What does that have to do with fulfilling your destiny? It’s out of a personal intimate relationship with God that you can “walk out” your life the way God predestined it. But you need to decide when you are going to live your life God's way!

Will it be today? Today can be the beginning of living your life God's way. Are you ready? The choice is entirely up to you. God has already given you a custom designed destiny that He wants you to fulfil. And He already knows every detail of your mission here on earth. You have a divine purpose that will be life changing for those around you. But you must accept the significance of your mission and take full ownership of it. Only you can fulfil your destiny. It was given to you alone - no one else! The good news is God has already provided everything you will ever need to successfully navigate and complete your mission. Are you willing to do whatever He asks you to do? Have you already made that life changing commitment to trust Him with your future? If you haven't, today is your day!

I want you to realise that you can be a world changer - starting today! A journey always starts with a first step. Do you want to make an impact for God (in this nation)? Do you want to be a positive influence on others? In fact, there are people waiting for you to start your ‘God-given’ assignment. Their future may depend on whether you engage fully or not. Do you really understand how important your life is to others? Whether you recognise it or not, you have probably made an impact in the lives others. So start having a positive influence right now! Now is the time to DREAM BIG. God wants you to dream big. Why? Your destiny is BIG. He knows you cannot fulfil your destiny alone. Therefore, God desires to help you. He knows that you cannot complete your mission without His assistance. God has strategically placed people around you to support and encourage you in your mission. He has brought people into your life to make sure you live the life you are predestined to live. Are you ready to grab hold of it? Reach for your destiny!

Chris Demetriou, 25/04/2010