On the way to your destiny

"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

I sat back this weekend,just thinking of how blessed I am as a child of the Most High God, where He has brought me from and where He is taking me. As I sat appreciating the wonders of His work and how my best laid plans are nothing compared to what He proposes for me, I realized how some who are going through situations need a word to encourage them. I truly believe everything that happens in our lives are permitted in order to fulfill our destiny. For those that have come to the knowledge of Christ, you can be assured by His words in Romans 8:28: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose".

The length of time it takes for you to get to your promised land is determined by a number of factors. Day in Day out, friends have asked how I've managed to keep my dreams alive in spite of the reports I've been getting...in spite of what looks like a never changing narrative, I tell them that my assurance is in the word of God in Isaiah 55:11 that says "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;It shall not return to Me void,but it shall accomplish what I please,and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it". You see the God we serve has a great sense of humor, He is like a father that watches His child struggling with something and patiently waits for the child to ask for His help. Most times the child never seems to turn to His father until he/she has ran out of options/ideas. Which leads me to our first factor:
1. Our actions/inactions - So what do you do when things aren't going your way? Do you sit back and throw yourself a pity party? Or do you encourage yourself in the word of God. In my case, I tend to praise a lot. I sit back and actually compose praise songs which I sing to God. One of the things I've noticed studying the bible is how many times we are told the children of Israel sang praises as they headed to war or while warring with their opposition and how on each occasion they were victorious. David was a man after God's heart because of his worship. He worshiped regardless of what he faced. Can you imagine a man worshiping God, while another man is after his life? Or a man rather than mourning the death of his son, worshiping God instead? Now that is what God expects of us.
2. Our confessions - The bible says that the tongue is like a two-edged sword...you can either use it in a way that would lead to your blessing or to your curse. When you face a situation, what are your confessions? Do you confess the problems/trials you face or do you confess victory over it. Choose to confess victory daily.
3. Faith trophy case-Like a successful athlete with many trophies, you should continually shine your faith trophy case. Your faith trophy case is a reminder of the hurdles you've overcome in the past because of God's love and mercy. Your ability to remember these triumphs and God's hand in ensuring your victory, helps in building your faith and assuring you that this shall also pass.
4. Your spiritual house- If you find yourself in the same predicament, time and time again, there is the need to go back and rebuild your spiritual house. If you haven't accepted the Lord as your personal savior, you'll definitely have to in order for God's promises to come to past in your life and if you have but continue to face these trials, it might be wise to rededicate your life. As in the physical houses we see, if the foundation isn't strong, the house won't stand when the winds and storms come. So by rebuilding our foundation, we rebuild our faith and by rebuilding our faith, we recognize the power and might of God above all else and the victory we are assured of by His word.
5. The breaking makes you strong- I compare this to our time in school. In order to move onto the next class, you typically have to pass an exam. God will not promote you if you constantly fail in the little you've been challenged with. For His word says He will not give you more than you can handle. I truly enjoy the challenges I face because it gives me the assurance that something big and better is about to happen in my life. In order for gold to become valuable, the raw material is put through fire and it's only after then are we truly able to appreciate it's beauty and value.
6. Let God be your source, your reference and your guide- As I mentioned above, the quicker you hand over your problems to God, the faster it is for God to handle them for you. In all things and all decisions, allow God to guide you.

Finally, I think it's important I touch on counterfeit blessings. Most people after they've been expectant for a long time finally get something that looks like what they've been looking for. Let's use a situation I am all too familiar with - A job! So I've spent a considerable amount of time looking for a job within a specific sector and I've determined within myself to find it...After praying and fasting, I finally got what seemed like the perfect job. I didn't have to negotiate anything but for some strange reason, my spirit wasn't at peace...traditionally, folks will sign up and work and thank God for the job but one thing I know is that when God gives you what is yours it comes with no concerns. A week before I was to leave, I turned to God and prayed...thanked Him for the opportunity but requested a sign that the job was from Him. When you read the story of Hezekiah (2 Kings chapters 18-20), He prayed to God to extend his life and When God sent Isaiah back to him to inform him that He (God) had decided to extend his life by 15 years, Hezekiah asked Isaiah to go back to God and ask that God show him a sign that it was really from God. God showed Hezekiah the sign and as the story goes, Hezekiah lived 15 more years before he died. I believe Hezekiah understood what a counterfeit blessing was...As God gives good gifts, the devil also gives us gifts and most times those gifts lead to our destruction/downfall....that is why it's important to constantly ask God if this is from Him. Proverbs 14:12 tells us that "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death".

You've been born to outlast every trial you'll ever face. You've been armed with the necessary tools to fight your every trial. Choose today to be victorious...For your tomorrow is based on the decisions you make today. May God guide you, May His desire for you become evident as you seek His face and choose to do His will. And may your destiny be one that would bring glory to the kingdom and also fulfillment to that which God has called you to achieve. In Jesus name . Amen.