Your Destiny Is Your Choice

“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.” - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Many people misunderstand the term “destiny.” They think it means unalterable conclusion…that it is fate or karma or that you can’t change it. Some people think that God determines your destiny, and it’s going to happen no matter what you do.

In fact, that’s not what God says. The Bible teaches two very important truths about your destiny.

One is that God’s destiny for your life is good. A lot of people think their destiny is bad or negative. But the Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11, “‘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’” (NIV). God says his plan—his destiny—for your life is a good plan.

You may have had a terrible or painful past. But the truth is, the story isn’t over.

The second truth about your destiny is this: You get to choose it. Did you know that? The Bible says that God gives you a choice. You can reject the good destiny God has planned for you. It’s not automatic.

Joshua learned this lesson as he was about to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the desert. In Deuteronomy 30:15-16 God says, “Today I offer you life and prosperity or death and destruction. This is what I’m commanding you today: Love the LORD your God, follow his directions, and obey his commands, laws, and rules. Then you will live, your population will increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you’re about to enter and take possession of” (GW).

Notice two things about Joshua’s experience. First, God had prepared a destiny for the children of Israel. He told them he’d already chosen that land for them and was going to give it to them. It was the Promised Land after all!  But second, he said, you’re going to have to possess it. I’m not just going to hand it to you on a platter. You have to make the choice.

God wants you to succeed in life with the good destiny he’s planned for you. Here’s my question: Would you like to live life being who God made you to be, doing what he made you to do, and having what he made you to have? It’s not automatic. God says it’s your choice.

What will you choose?

You're Here Now...For A Purpose

“Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” - Esther 4:14 NIV

A lot of people think God only calls preachers and missionaries and those who are “super spiritual.” But God’s calling is for everyone! God has called every one of us to make a difference with our lives. The problem is that some of us are not picking up the phone.

You can’t just wonder what you should do with your life or figure it out for yourself. You have to ask God what he created you to do. And then, day by day, you have to look to God’s Word for confirmation that you’re doing what God wants you to do.

It’s time to answer God’s call!

Discerning your call is not just a matter of life and death like it was for Esther—it’s more important than life or death because eternity is in the balance. We’re not just talking about helping people in the here and now. We’re talking about their eternal destinies. Your calling includes your mission—to tell other people about the gospel, that Jesus loves them and wants to be their Savior and friend, that he died so they could know God and be with him forever.

God is working all things for his good. And you can be part of that—when you tell God that you’ll go wherever he wants you to go and do whatever he wants you to do.

In Esther 4:13-14, Esther’s cousin Mordecai sends this word to her: “Do not think because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (NIV).

Mordecai knew that this young, poor, orphaned, Jewish girl had not become the queen of Persia by accident. He knew that God put her in that position “for such a time as this.”

God has a destiny for your life. He brought you to this place at this time for a purpose. If you want to know what he has called you to do, you only have to ask and listen.

Come and Walk On the Water

And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Yeshua. Matthew 14:29 KJV

Yeshua insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while He sent the people home. What was about to follow was a storm. The disciples found themselves in the boat in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. I could only imagine their thoughts. Where is Yeshua? He told us to go to the other side and now we are in a storm and about to die.

Yeshua showed up, but the disciples did not recognize Him. They did not expect Yeshua to come to them, in the midst of the storm, walking on the water. They were terrified and thought it was a ghost. But then Yeshua spoke words of comfort and re-assurance, and said, ‘don’t be afraid, take courage, I am here’.

Like many of us, Peter wanted to be sure who spoke and he said, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” How many times, we too asked, Lord is it really you? We want to be sure. Yeshua answered, ‘Yes come.’ So, Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Yeshua. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Yeshua is inviting us to come and walk on the water with Him. He wants us to partner with Him to do what He called us to do. We may not face a physical storm, but we would be facing the unknown. Are we willing to do like Peter and get out of the boat, even though afraid and trust that God will not allow us to sink and drown?

We must be confident that the God who called us, will not forsake us. He keeps His promises. For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee – Hebrews 13:5 KJV.