September 27
The Destiny Question
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ––Ephesians 2:10
L’enfer est plein de bonnes volontés ou désirs. (Hell is full of good intentions and wills). ––Bernard of Clairvaux, 1150
When was the last time you heard the word “destiny” used in a sentence? Chances are, if you are a sports fan like me, you’ve heard it in reference to a team that seems chosen or pre-determined to have a great season or series.
For a word we so seldom hear, destiny is critically important. To understand destiny, we need to understand the heart of God. That’s because at the very heart of God’s being, He has created us to be people of destiny. Related to this, each of us is on a journey—a unique, designed-by-God-before-we-were-in-our-mother’s-womb journey—toward something incredible. Destiny in relation to God’s Kingdom is a personally designed plan that is activated and fulfilled through an individual’s willingness to discover and follow the path God has designed for them.
Notice two key words: willingness and ability. Destiny always demands obedience and discipline according to God’s way and His Word. Always. That doesn’t mean a person with a checkered past can’t course-correct and get back on track. Nor does it mean that a faith once dead can’t be reignited—no matter what a person has done, or how old they might be. That’s one piece of the “good news” of the Gospel. And it’s very good news! From God’s perspective, the destiny—plan and purpose for which He has created you—of your life is powerful, positive, and potentially earth-shaking.
But man of God, here’s the caveat, the fine print in the cosmic contract: Because we are created with free will, it’s our choice whether or not the destiny God has designed for us will come to fruition. We play a part—a big one, at that. So, there’s both good news and bad news as we begin to explore God’s destiny for us. The good news is that God is for us, that through His Son Jesus we attain eternal life, and when we surrender ourselves to His discipline and His Word, His destiny is realized in our lives.
Here’s more good news that the adversary, Satan, doesn’t want you to know: Even when all your dreams are dead or dying, God can still fulfill your destiny. Put another way, despite your outer circumstances—which might reek of failure, death, sin, and loss—God can reignite your hope, rekindle your faith, and restore your destiny.
The “next best step” any of us can take today is to say “yes” again to God’s plan for us. Even if it seems dead and buried, we know that God is in the resurrection business. It starts with a spark of hope, and from there God can fan that spark into a flame and then a fire.
Lord, at times it seems Your plan for me either died or was diverted a long time ago. Rekindle my hope in Your specific plan for my life, and let me take just one step today toward realizing Your destiny for me.