DESTINY

Yesterday morning when the clock-radio went off, the following song played "Destiny". It goes something like this; "I’m gonna be My destiny, I’m gonna take my hand, And lead me down the road, To where I want to be, Yes, I’m gonna be, My destiny, I’m gonna look up now, And shine and know, That I create my own destiny. Somehow this is true, we do create our own destiny by the choices we make in life.

Scripture teaches that humans are created with the ability to make moral choices. Therefore, our destiny depends upon whether we live in harmony with God, following His moral teachings. The Bible reminds us that God knows the plans He has for us, but we do have some control over our own direction. "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11 NLT.

While the Bible does talk of destiny, it is usually a destined outcome based upon our decisions. Take a moment and think of Adam and Eve in the Garden: Adam and Eve were not predestined to eat of the Tree but were designed and predestined by God to live in the Garden forever. God gave man free will although we have been predestined, chosen, appointed beforehand according to the purpose of God who works all things according to the counsel and design of His will. " Through our union with Christ, we too have been claimed by God as his own inheritance. Before we were even born, he gave us our destiny; that we would fulfill the plan of God who always accomplished every purpose and plan in his heart." - Ephesians 1:11 TPT.

Adam and Eve had the choice to remain in the Garden obey the warnings of God or not listen to His warnings, yet they chose the path of disobedience. We have the same choices that define our path. The Bible is a guide and it helps us to make Godly decisions and keeping us on an obedient path that keeps us from unwanted consequences. Sometimes people use God as a scapegoat for the bad things that happen to us, but really it is more often our own choices or the choices of those around us that lead to our situations. It sounds harsh, and sometimes it is, but what happens in our lives is part of our own free will. The Word of God teaches us about the unwanted consequences of the choices we make in our life journey. God is clear that we have a choice to love Him and follow Him or not. It's our choice, our own free will if we want to love and follow God. God doesn't force Himself upon us but He gives us the choice to choose His Son and when we choose His Son Jesus Christ we receive eternal life.

The final destiny of everyone who was born and still will be born is death and the final judgment. "it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment." - Hebrews 9:27 NLT. That is the ultimate destiny of everyone who has ever been or ever will be born. There are no exceptions. The final destiny of all who have refused to repent and trust in Christ was thrown into the lake of fire. The final destiny of all who had repented and accepted the Son of God putting their trust in Him will receive eternal life. Our destiny was determined by God’s effectual call and we’re not destined for wrath but for salvation and that is only through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our destiny is the kingdom of heaven. It will be the beginning of something that has no end.

In a way, we do create our own destiny through the choices we make and the path we walk. Ben Carson said: "We create our own destiny by the way we do things. We have to take advantage of opportunities and be responsible for our choices." Each day has its own destiny. Yesterday is history, today is opportunity while tomorrow is a mystery. Today we still have the opportunity to choose our Lord Jesus Christ, to choose eternal life. "Then you will discover all that is just, proper, and fair, and be empowered to make the right decisions as you walk into your destiny". - Proverbs 2:9 TPT.

WHAT IS YOUR DESTINY?