Who Has an Awesome Destiny?

"You have an awesome destiny!"

These words came from the leader of the group and were aimed at a young lady who, without a doubt, was going to be used by God for His glory.

As I listened to the outpouring of encouragement toward this bright young girl and the one sitting beside her, I agreed. But a part of me wanted to cry out, "Yes, and so do all the other people who've just shared their hearts."

I've heard this phrase used many times over the last six years. Often it's been said with heartfelt passion and sincerity, but other times it's just been something to say because it sounds encouraging. The truth is that when we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we automatically became a child of God. In fact, we became the son or daughter of the one and only awesome God. That's why we can have total confidence in knowing that our destiny will be a reflection of Him - in other words, awesome!

The truth of this is in God's promise to the children of Israel 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."

As adopted children into the family of God, we can take hold of that promise for our lives as well. God's desire for each of His children is only ever for good. We can be assured that the destiny we have ahead of us is going to be one that is rich because of His unfailing love toward us.

Somewhere along the line though, we've equated prominence in ministry as being a measure of true success. We may never say that, but it often underlies a lot of our thinking. Yet, how many people are working out their Christian lives quietly but steadily, serving God in the every day little things that come their way? In the Father's eyes, these quiet achievers are precious treasures and they are most definitely, the backbone of the Church.

Destiny isn't just for those who are in the public eye, and in the same way, it isn't just for the young. We all live in God's good promises toward us every single day, whether we're the youngest or oldest of the saints. There is never an age where we can say that we're too old to serve the Lord (or too young for that matter).

A few years back, Steve and I were privileged to have a quite amazing evangelist live with us for a week. Appearances with this feisty 70-something lady were not just deceptive, they were downright fraudulent. Looking like the sweetest and most elegant of grandmothers, with an oven full of apple pies baking at home, people were easily fooled into making a snap judgment about her ability to serve God. Then she would open her mouth and blow every preconception out of their minds.

Val was a woman who lived the Word of God every minute of every day. She praised the Lord without ceasing as she walked around the house, and was constantly vigilant to ensure that the words of her mouth and the meditation of her heart were acceptable in the Lord's sight.

A week with Val was exhausting, but life changing. My thinking was radically transformed in just seven short days, never to be the same again.

One day as we were talking, Val made the comment that I was created to lead praise and worship. Her words opened a door for me to share something that had been troubling me for some months.

"Val, there's nothing I love more than leading a congregation into the Father's throne room," I began, but when will it become vaguely ridiculous for a woman my age to be jumping around to 'My Redeemer Lives'?"

As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wished I could take them back. The look on this mighty septuagenarian would have caused a grown man to revert to whimpering childhood!

"My Dear!" was all Val needed to say.

The lunacy of my comment was painfully obvious when taken in the light of this tireless evangelist's life. Even at her advanced age, she was still walking faithfully into her awesome destiny. Every day was a challenge and adventure, and one that she faced with the confidence of knowing that the Holy Spirit was her constant companion and God's Word could always be trusted.

God has given each one of us talents and spiritual gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ. In fact, Paul spoke about this when he wrote to the Church in Corinth:

"Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church."
(1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV)

Whether God's plan for you involves speaking in churches around the world and leading countless thousands to the Lord, or is to raise a family of men and women who are strong in faith and service, be assured that you are living out the Father's awesome destiny for your life. Whether you're to be a missionary and see whole villages converted as God works through you, or act as a missionary to your neighborhood, shining Christ's light into the darkness around you, be confident that you're walking in the awesome destiny God has designed just for you.

God knows the plans that He has for your life. They're all laid out and ready for us to step into. He's just waiting for us to show four things that will let Him know we're ready to follow:

Availability - Willingness - Obedience - Position.

Availability says, "Here I am Lord"

Willingness says, "Send me!"

Obedience says, "Let it be as You say!"

Position asks, "Where do You want me to go and what do You want me to do?"

So, who has an awesome destiny?

WHY, IT'S YOU OF COURSE!!!

[ by Debbie Porter -- from 'Themestream' ]