When I was going through my transition, I didn't think I had much of anything to offer the Almighty God.
What could I give this God who had created everything known to man?
I think this inferiority too often holds us back.
We might not even know it. It is hidden in our subconscious. Our subconscious thoughts absorb our secret fears and insecurities and are often reflective of our current or past situations and based on our past successes or failures. And the most interesting fact, it comprises 95% of our brain's activity.
This subconscious part of our mind may be the very missing link between missing and living out our destiny.
Webster defines destiny as a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power.
Destiny, as I am defining, is carrying out the exact purpose that you were created for and the purpose that only you can fulfill. This destiny is based on originality, individual uniqueness. Meaning there is no one else on earth who can do what you were called to do. This purpose was designed by the creator solely for you.
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)
This is not destiny in the negative sense as described as fate.
Destiny happens
Through us
Not to us.
We are all instruments in this life. Each of us are intricately connected, with our lives weaving in and out of each other like a universal quilt.
Each of us designed for a very unique purpose.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16 NIV)
Fate believes that everything that happens to you is predestined, that we have no control and can not influence the outcome.
Destiny is founded on the truth of God's Word that says He formed us and made a perfect plan for us and in this plan we would have a wonderful life.
Destiny has to be our choice. Destiny comes when we chose God's plan over our plan.
Destiny does not happen to us.
Destiny happens through us.
Our Destiny will not begin until we seek it. And we often don't look for it until our plan A and sometimes B, fails. Most of us don't chose to recognize that there is a more divine plan until our own plan fails.
It is in this failure and recognition that most call out to the Lord God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. And our Father knew this, that is why He said.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)
I have read about how the natural earth retains the memory of all life that has existed, like pathways or imprints left upon the earth.
I feel the spiritual world is very similar. I imagine empty pathways crossing all over the world, but never walked in, empty pathways that were never chosen, destinies unfulfilled.
Our destiny is not forced upon us, it only arrives through our choice, our free will.
But what holds us back?
What hinders us from leaving our ways behind us for a plan that is higher than our own? A plan that promises a future of hope and prosperity?
Fear.
Fear is the number one enemy of destiny. And most of the time we are completely unaware of these silent fears that hold us captive. They are residing in the most active but subconscious part of our mind.
One fear that held me back was thinking I had nothing to offer.
It seemed in a very short span of time I had completely wrecked my life.
I claimed that my life was an exercise of futility, one disaster and failure after another.
Why would the creator of heaven and earth need me?
What could I offer?
It's not a large offering that our creator wants, in fact He doesn't want an offering at all,
He just wants our hearts.
But as the scripture says,
"For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21 NIV
So we see that sometimes the very act of giving Him our treasure, which in my case was my true love, my home town, we are offering up our hearts.
There is a beautiful story of a widow woman who thought she didn't have much to offer, but that didn't stop her from giving what she had.
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.
"Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4 NIV
Jesus was saying, this woman put in what she would miss, while the others put in what they wouldn't miss. A sacrifice comes with a price. It is giving up something we would truly like to keep. If we only offer up that which we will never miss, we are not offering our whole heart.
When we offer up our all to our Father we are saying we not only Love Him but that we Trust Him. We are giving up all that we have knowing He will restore us. We are relinquishing control.
There are many people who miss their destiny because they cannot relinquish this control. They cannot put their Trust in God. They cannot offer up their all.
The contrast story to the poor widow woman is one of a rich young ruler.
There was a rich young ruler who approached Jesus asking Him what He needed to do to enter the kingdom of heaven. By kingdom, He was meaning the spiritual kingdom, His destiny, where He would find joy, peace, hope and love. He had made a fortune for himself but that had not brought him fulfillment, rather it had left his spirit empty.
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said.“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” Mark 10:21-23
There have been many a sermon that has mis-interpreted this story. Jesus wasn't saying that the rich will not enter into heaven or even that being wealthy is wrong. Rather he is saying that when we build our own lives, create our own destiny and put all our trust in ourselves, it will be nearly impossible to lay down our will for the Father's.
And when we live out OUR own destiny we are not walking out God's perfect will for our lives. Instead of enjoying a life filled with hope, joy, peace and love, we will instead be subject to all that comes with a sandy foundation and empty spiritual life, fear, sadness, resentment and the like.
It is not the size of offering our Father is concerned with, He only wants our hearts.
However, the bigger the treasure the bigger the sacrifice.
The more time and effort we spend creating our own life, the harder it will be to lay it down.
And it is a fact that if we build it on our own foundation, it will at some point come crumbling down.
I know I had to find out on my own but I am here to tell you when the building began to crumble it came fast and hard.
Don't wait like I did, begin seeking the Father's plan now.
And if you aren't already, soon you will be walking in a perfect pathway that was created just for YOU.
As Wigglesworth says, This divine life is worth dying a thousand deaths. It is far greater than we can ever know but we must make the choice.
Remember,
Destiny does not happen to you,
Destiny happens through you.
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