180 Degrees: Destiny

Fulfill your destiny…

Math Joke: there are 10 types of people in the world – those who know binary, and those who don’t.

That aside, let’s kick off the 180 Degrees series. As I discussed last week, Jesus wants us to be like a 180º angle: perfectly straight. He wants us to follow the narrow road, and go completely against the sinful part of our human nature.

One thing capable of dragging us off that straight line is the concept of destiny. It’s no small matter. Defined as, “The hidden power believed to control what will happen in the future”, human nature seems to make a big deal about destiny.

Define Destiny.

Human nature tends to view this concept in one of two ways. Either we control our destiny and “you do you”, or we fall into the ditch of being trapped by our fate. You either get all of the control or none of the control. But surely there’s a middle ground?

In fact, there is. God offers us that middle ground. He says He will guide our steps if we follow His commands. Yes, God will be in control, but we still have to walk the path. If you’re stuck right now, if you feel like you have no control, or if you’ve experienced the consequences of you-do-you, it’s time to shift your mindset…

180 Degrees

Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” If you turn to God and relinquish control, He will lead you down a good and prosperous path. The harder we try to live for ourselves, the harder our lives become.

James 4:14 (NLT) asks, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” We all have plans, and I enjoy brainstorming my schedule for the coming days and weeks. However, God is ultimately in control. Everything that happens only happens because He knows it will take place.

Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we need not be enslaved by destiny. I’d rather follow God’s leading than my own; I’ve seen where human nature takes me. I’ve seen the consequences of a you-do-you lifestyle: you stop caring for others and only look out for yourself. I’ve also seen the consequences of living a controlled-by-fate lifestyle: you never accomplish anything, believing your destiny is already written.

Instead of being servants of what may happen in the future, let’s be servants of Christ, who knows the future. Yes, it means relinquishing some of our control, but it also means getting to choose what matters. God doesn’t force anyone to believe in Him – He gives them a choice. That’s what love is.

A Purposeful Question.

Once you understand this, I have a question for you. How would your destiny/purpose change if Jesus was no longer part of your life? Would you suddenly lose purpose, or would things stay the same? I hate to be blunt, but if a lack of Christ in your life doesn’t change everything, you’re obtuse. I mean that in a geometric sense, of course. An obtuse angle has a measure greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees. An obtuse angle can never be straight, regardless of what direction it’s pointing.

If the purpose of your life is not rooted in Jesus – if you don’t spend time every day getting to know Him better – you’ve deviated from the line. Everything should be rooted in Christ. Our purpose doesn’t come from what we do, whether for others or Jesus. No, Jesus is our purpose. Human nature has it backwards – life isn’t about finding our purpose, it’s about living out His purpose in every area of our lives. 

Destiny does not mean God will give us a full-scale life blueprint. If He did, there wouldn’t be any trust required between Him and us. God chooses to reveal His will in time. If He allowed us to see everything (as He does), I doubt we could comprehend it. Winston Churchill is quoted as having said, “It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.”

By attempting to control our destiny, we’re trying to wrestle control of our lives from God. We’re trying to do what we think is best, instead of asking Him what’s best.

Seek First His Kingdom.

Our destiny on this earth is to “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). If we’re not doing that, then whose destiny are we following? Many find giving up control difficult, but it’s worth it. Our human nature only seeks what’s best for self, and that hardly ever ends well.

When you die, your accomplishments and achievements die with you. But if you live for Christ, you will store up treasures in Heaven, which can never be destroyed. To quote Darth Vader, “It is your destiny.”

The concept of destiny isn’t reliant on the future or fate; it’s reliant on faith. As Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) declares…

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”