Finding Your Destiny

One of our most challenging tasks is finding our true purpose in life. So many voices are crying for our attention, and everyone around us has their own opinion of what goals we should set for ourselves. The pressure to succeed can be intense, and of course, there's the ever-present concern over finances. Many of us enter the adult world and are content just to find a job, a spouse, and have some kids. These are very worthy pursuits and can be a destiny in themselves. For instance, some women may feel a calling to be an *awesome* wife and mother and raise children in a godly home. Some feel called to enter the business world and earn finances with which to finance the work of God.

 

But many people get a gnawing feeling on the inside - a kind of dull ache, and the ever-present question:

 

Why am I on this earth? Am I fulfilling my destiny?... Is this all there is to life?

 

Do you want to know for sure that you're on the path to true fulfillment in life? The answer is found in KNOWING GOD. Your Creator knows you, and He made you for a reason.

 

"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 a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

 

The Bible makes it clear that God has a purpose and destiny for every person.  To find this purpose and plan, however, you must get to know your Creator.  To find out more about how to become a Christian, click here.  Once you've become a Christian, then what?  Here are some practical steps to finding out what you're made for!

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Seven Steps to Destiny

 

1. Become a man/woman of prayer, Bible study, witnessing, and worship

 

Prayer brings intimacy with God. The closer your fellowship with the Lord, the more you'll sense God's heart and desire for your life. You are then more receptive to His specific direction concerning your destiny.

 

In Jeremiah 29:11, God declares His great plans for your life. The next sentence declares our need for prayer, and that we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our heart! This scripture is obviously linking the fulfillment of our God-given purpose to our need for prayer and deep fellowship with the Lord. Daily prayer, worshipping God, and Bible study cause spiritual growth, which is essential to fulfilling your destiny.

 

God begins putting desires in your heart for His plan for your life as you seek His face.

It's also important to regularly attend church and fellowship with the Body of Christ.

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2. Become a person of disciplined obedience

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We cannot hope to succeed in fulfilling our destiny without living a disciplined and obedient life. We personally have realized that in order to fulfill our callings in ministry, we have had to make some difficult choices. Sometimes the Lord asks us to pray and read the Bible when we'd rather be watching a good movie. We spend hours in preparation before ministry engagements, when sometimes we'd rather just relax. We have had to make some sacrifices of money and time. Although living for God is fun and exciting, we must be willing to meet His challenges by disciplining our body and mind, and this is not always easy. Paul talked about this, comparing Christians to well-trained athletes.

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Paul said, "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (I Corinthians 9:25-27)

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In Hebrews 12, we are commanded to throw off everything that hinders us, whether it be sin or something that holds us back in our walk with God. It could be an addiction, a bad habit, or an unhealthy relationship that is slowing us down in our race to destiny.

 

But whatever it is, we are called to throw it aside!

 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." - Hebrews 12:1-4

 

3. Fulfill your greatest destiny, which is to be a lover and worshipper of God.

 

Some people get so caught up in finding the specific destiny for their lives that they miss the most important calling we will ever have, and a calling that we all have in common! I believe that if every Christian would fulfill their highest calling, this world would be totally transformed. The Westminster Catechism says it well:

 

"The chief end of man is to love God and enjoy Him forever." Live for God, enjoy Him and revel in His presence. To love, worship, honor, and glorify Him is our awesome calling!

 

Jesus was asked, "What is the greatest commandment?" This is what he said:

 

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:37

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Do these things first, and you'll be well on your way to fulfilling your destiny in life.

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4. Get to know yourself.

 

Many people make important life decisions without really stopping to ask themselves: "What do I really enjoy? What do I want out of life?" Before you decide your life's path, remember that you are not responsible to follow your parent's or friends' plan for your life. These are choices only you can make!

 

Become self-reflective. Take some time to look inward and get to know yourself. Sit down with a piece of paper and just write down things you like to do, and things you're passionate about. What really turns you on? Get involved in your church and in community service, and see what things you're gifted at and enjoy. If you're going to college, take some classes just to expand your horizons. God wants to lead you, but He wants you to get involved with some things and take some risks.

 

 

5. Become emotionally healthy.

 

Do you find yourself falling into a cycle of failure in some area of your life - for example, in your work or relationships? This could signify that you need some emotional healing. This is an important aspect of succeeding in life because emotional hurts and wounds can leave you crippled with fear, and afraid to take risks of any kind. Here are some ways to get started:

 

- Christian counseling: Seek guidance from a Christian counselor who can help you navigate through emotional challenges.

- Teachings by Joyce Meyer: She has hundreds of teachings on various aspects of emotional and spiritual maturity, and her testimony is amazing! Her ministry has really helped us in certain aspects of our lives and growth. Visit her website at [www.joycemeyer.org]. Some books that have really helped us: Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend, *Changes that Heal* by Cloud, and *The Search for Significance* by Mcgee. These can be found in any Christian bookstore or online.

 

Through these processes, you'll begin to see more clearly your destiny. Have FAITH and believe that God will show you the way! Then...

 

6. START DOING IT!

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As you gain more and more confidence in God's calling for your life, take steps towards your destiny. They may be small steps at first, but that's OK. Believe you can do it, and GO FOR IT!! Also, keep in mind:

 

• Expect God to provide for what He has planned for you. For example, many times the Lord has led us to do a missions outreach, and as we have stepped out to obey,

• He has always been faithful to provide the finances and prayer support. Sometimes God is just waiting for you to take a step forward, and He will meet you there with everything you need. Be sure to keep the other areas of your life in balance.

• Get enough rest, and take care of your body. Keep in mind that we're in this race to win, but it is a race of endurance, so you don't want to burn out from overwork.

• Be a lifetime student. Study and learn about a variety of subjects, especially ones related to your destiny.

 

7. As Churchill said in a famous speech, "Never give up! Never give up! Never give up!"

 

You can be sure that you will face challenges in your quest for God's best. Don't let anything stop you. The enemy will resist you, and even your friends and family may not always understand. Many times these scriptures have strengthened us:

 

• "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." - Hebrews 10:35

• "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

• "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4

 

In closing, it is our prayer that the Lord will speak to you through this teaching, and that you will be strengthened in your walk with the Lord.

 

For Jesus,

Kurt and Marla Johnson