“God has made
everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human
heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from
beginning to end” (Ecc. 3:11 NLT).
Often when we
think of destiny we make the mistake of thinking only of our eternal destiny.
Yes, thinking about where one is going to spend eternity is vitally important!
However, destiny involves much more than this. As Ravi Zacharias explains,
“[Destiny] is the culmination of all that life was, including how that person
prepares for death, whether it comes soon or after several years. Destiny
incorporates the sense of purpose and design when it lies in the hands of a
Sovereign God” (The Grand Weaver, p. 155).
Throughout
Scripture, we learn that we are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27), and
that it is our life’s goal to become more and more like His Son (Rom. 8:29;
13:14). This is what every follower of Christ is destined for in this life.
Therefore, God has
destined us for a life of greatness. Now I can imagine that many will point to
their circumstances and struggles, and doubt the greatness that God has in
store for you. Yet just like a beautiful tapestry, you will miss seeing the
beauty if you only look at the backside. So while the back of a tapestry may
look like a mess, the front reveals a beautiful piece of art. That is what God
is doing in the lives of “those who love Him, who have been called according to
His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
So as we look at
individuals throughout Scripture, and throughout history, even our modern day,
we find people who have gone through dark valleys to stand on the mountain tops
of life. Their names are countless. People like Noah who was a drunk. Job who
lost all that he had. Abraham who was a wander. Jacob who was a liar. Joseph
who was abused, abandoned, and forgotten. David who was a murder and an
adulterer. There was Lazarus who had died. Peter the betrayer. And Doubting
Thomas. All of these individuals had their dark moments, yet God brought them
out of their pits of despair in this life. And God can do it in your life as
well.
The destiny that
God has for every person is amazing. His promises are sure. Yet the question
remains. Will you live the life that God is calling you to live?
“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” (Jer. 29:11-13). So are you
willing to seek Him here and now so that you can really live both now and
forever more?
In His service,
Matt
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