"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

                                                                     

 

 

     The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word "destiny" as a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency. American Heritage Dictionary says it as a predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control. Both ideas project the same thought that destiny is predetermined, and that it is considered unavoidable. While I agree with both concepts as far as it involving a predetermined course, I do not necessarily agree that it is a path with an unavoidable outcome. 

      Everything that I know and understand about the providential care of our heavenly Father is that he does indeed have a plan and purpose for our lives, and he will do everything necessary to help us achieve what he desires for us to achieve, but there is nothing about it that is automatic or absolute. There are far too many scriptures that point out that we have a choice whether or not we are going to obey the will of God.

     While I'm sure many of us hold to the truth that God is a sovereign God, it is not my belief that his sovereignty dictates everything that occurs almost as if some unseen hand decides everything, and we are simply subject to whatever happens in an avoidable fashion. Yes, there are determined things such as prophetic announcements that no man can stop; for instance, the second Coming of Christ. It really doesn't matter what you and I believe. Nothing is going to change the fact that He is going to come. There are other things such as times and seasons that are in his hands. Also, times of intervention that God will bring about based upon his covenant promises. But much of that is still contingent upon our obedience and faithfulness to his prescribed course.

      Think with me for a moment. If everything that was preplanned and prearranged was set in stone, so that we had absolutely nothing to do with what happens, then why are we exhorted in the scriptures to pray? What kind of responsibility would we have concerning persevering or seeking to aspire to a deeper work in our lives or even to pursue a path of destiny, if it was going to happen anyway? Why would Jesus tell us in His model prayer to pray for God's will to be done on the earth as it is in heaven, if we have nothing to do with it coming to pass? The answers to these questions are very simple. God calls us partners, co-laborers with him! There are things that cannot and will not get done without us doing our part. The whole idea of the Great Commission would be nonsensical if our destiny was already determined and could not be reversed!

     Paul wrote to the church of Philippi and told them of his own passion to apprehend that for which he was apprehended. God chose Paul for a divine purpose, but that purpose had to become Paul's determined purpose! You and I have a divine purpose. It is a sovereign call to carry out God's plan in and through our lives. That call is irreversible! The Bible clearly states, "The gifts and callings of God are without repentance"  (Rom. 11:29) meaning, God doesn't change his mind! But friend, I'm telling you we have a choice whether or not we change our mind! Which is the very reason in the next chapter Paul says, "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove (discern) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:2).

     We are facing some of the most challenging days of our lives. Our nation stands at a crossroad of destiny. Is God going to make this nation all that we want it to be just because he is a sovereign God? I don't think we can presume that everything is going to just simply work for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose without us doing our part to pray and act on what he has instructed us to do.

Destiny? Yes, we all have one...but it is not solely in the hands of God to decide whether we fulfill what he has for us. We must choose for ourselves what we are going to do about it!