(Note: This article was adapted from the book, Destiny Now!)
“Destiny – the predetermined purpose for being,” is what I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit say to my spirit in a very clear tone one morning as I was awaking out of my sleep. This marked the beginning of my search about this thing called destiny. I discovered that before I was born it was already decided or marked out by God who and what I would be. My purpose on this planet was prearranged. The blueprint for my life was already made. I had nothing to do with it. It wasn’t my choice. It was His choice. I was not my own idea. I was His idea. I discovered that I have a responsibility to live out His idea. To be what He intended me to be and to do what He intended me to do. Anything less than that is sabotage and disruption of my divine destiny.
Some have tried to run from their destiny instead of embracing it. I want to encourage you to embrace your destiny and receive God’s calling upon your life. You will come to find out that living your destiny is not a chore, but a delight.
I want you to know that you have nothing to lose, but everything to gain. Your destiny is not common. It is uncommon and only you can fulfill your destiny. No one can do it for you. Only you can live it. No one can live it for you.
However, before you can fulfill destiny you must understand destiny. In this article, I’m going to be sharing with you some truths that the Lord has shared with me that will help you to understand your destiny and put you on the path of progress and prominence.
Destiny – Your Discovery
The very first thing you must come to realize is that your destiny is not your decision – it's your discovery. You don’t decide what you are to do in life, God decides that. You discover what God has already decided. This is a foreign concept to some, especially in the independent-minded society that we are living in. We are made to believe that we design our destiny and however we shape it is how it will be. We even tell our kids, “You can be whatever you want to be. You can do whatever you put your mind to.” These are good statements of motivation, but only if it’s in line with God’s plan and purpose for their lives. We really shouldn’t be asking our kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up? We really should be asking them, “What do you think God has called you to do? What do you think your destiny is?” This will sensitize them to God’s will and save them from days of confusion and uncertainty about their purpose. God has already designed our destiny and is looking for discoverers of destiny. He is looking for people who want to go on a journey of uncovering His plan and purpose for their lives. Don’t you want to be one of those people? You can be! It starts with understanding the call of God upon your life.
The Call of God
What is the call of God? The call of God is the assignment God has given you before you were born. It is what God has summoned you to do. It is your life’s work. Isn’t this what God said to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:4, 5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” So, here we see a young man being told by God what His assignment is. Notice it’s an assignment given to Jeremiah before he was born. You also have an assignment that was given to you before you were born. It is your responsibility to find out what that assignment is and fulfill it like Jeremiah did.
Romans 11:29
For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.
This word irrevocable means “impossible to retract or revoke.” This signifies that God is not going to change His mind about what He has called you to do and He’s not going to take back the gifts He’s given you to fulfill the call He has upon your life. Your life’s calling was given to you before time began. The script for your life has already been written. The blueprint has already been created. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you will automatically follow the script or build your life according the blueprint God has already created. You have to be willing and obedient. The Father will not force you to walk in destiny. He will not force you to fulfill His call upon your life, but He will assist you if you are willing to follow His plan and purpose for your life.
Pray this prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize now that You have an individual destiny for me. I was born with a God-given purpose. Open my eyes to see what that purpose is and help me to fulfill it. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
How To Discover Your Destiny
By Maurice Johnson
(Note: This article was adapted from the book, Destiny Now!)
Discovering your destiny is a process, an ongoing progression. The Lord will lead you step by step in this process for it is in Him that your destiny lies.
Step One: Pray and Seek God
I remember when I was a teenager, I sensed the call of God on my life for ministry. So I began to pray and seek Him about exactly what He wanted me to do, and He began to reveal His plan and purpose for my life. There were times that He used other people to confirm to me my call to the ministry. However, the most important thing He used was the inward witness and the inward voice of the Holy Spirit in my spirit. In other words, He let me know on the inside what He wanted me to do.
Step Two: Examine Your Personal Desires
Desire is the God-given force that helps us to discover our destiny. Your desire is linked to your destiny. You must ask yourself, “What do I desire the most?” “What am I most drawn to?” Many times, God uses your desires to lead you along destiny’s path. The Scriptures actually say, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). So, you see, God is at work in you, and He uses your inward desires to lead and guide you in the right direction.
Step Three: Walk in the Light
A third key step to discovering God’s will and plan for your life is to walk in the light you already have. In other words, do what you already know to do. Doing what you already know to do qualifies you to receive more instruction and revelation from your Heavenly Father.
Remember God will reveal His will to your progressively. He will not show you every step at once. He reveals enough information for us to take the next step. The Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in His way.” (Psalm 37:23). This Scripture let us know that the Lord guides us one step at a time in our discovery process and is pleased when we take each step.
Pray this prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for my destiny. Help me to discover what You have planned and purposed for my life. Cause me to walk in the light of Your will for me. I will follow the steps you have ordered for my life and I will delight in Your way. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
