Countless of times, I have prayed this prayer over numerous people, “Lord let them walk into their destiny as You have a perfect plan for them. Lord, order their steps. There have been times it was prayed over me as well. So, does God really have a destiny, a plan for each and every one of us? Well the Word says He does. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us: “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.” (NIV) Proverbs 20:24 states: “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?” (NIV) There it is in black and white, each and every one of us has a destiny.

One of my favorite Christian TV shows is “Joni Table Talk.” The show consists of approximately 4 women. Generally they have one guest per episode. It is quite interesting as they are courageous enough to converse on any topic. In a recent episode, Joni had film writer Randall Wallace as a guest. Mr. Wallace directed the movie “Heaven is for Real.” He actually went to seminary. He thought maybe there was a call on his life to be a Pastor so he met with his own Pastor to discuss it. Randall’s Pastor asked him, “Do you feel a call on your life to be a Pastor?” His reply? “No I don’t. I know it is the greatest call you can have BUT I don’t feel it.” I absolutely love his Pastor’s comeback. “You’re wrong! It’s not the greatest call. The greatest call in your life is the one God has for you.” Now that my friends is destiny! It is fulfilling the purpose, God created you to do.

Truthfully, thoughts regarding destiny was stressful. In my mind’s eye, it was being the leader of a full-size ministry, along with tons of work. “Thanks but no thanks, I think I will pass” was my stance but it troubled me continuously. My view changed when I spent time with the Lord every day. He taught me to take one day at a time, to relax and not dwell on it. He also taught me through His Word. When John the Baptist was in prison, he had doubts that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus sent word to him confirming:

• The blind see,
• The lame walk,
• Lepers are cleansed,
• The deaf hear,
• The dead are raised,
• The wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side. (Matthew 11: 4-6 ( The Message)

Listed above are some of the miracles that Jesus performed to prove He was the Messiah but He said, we would do the greater things. John 14: 11-14 commands us to perform the greater things. “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. Therefore, if Jesus affirmed that we can do the greater things, what should we at least be doing? We should declare that:

• The blind see,
• The lame walk,
• Lepers are cleansed,
• The deaf hear,
• The dead are raised,
• The wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side.

Have I experienced any of this at all? Oh yes! I have been healed many times but that is for another blog. I have also prayed for people and saw them get healed. How can I do this? Easy, it is not me. It has nothing to do with who I am or what I have done. It is all because of who He is and what He has done. I am beginning to realize who I am in Christ. Romans 8:17 tells me that I am a joint heir in Christ. He said I was to do it and I’m stepping out in faith and walking into my destiny. Jesus has an additional responsibility that He wants us to carry out. It is called The Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 instructs us: “Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (The Message) Simply put, preach the gospel, and lead others to the Lord.

Years ago, I heard this heartrending story about a believing couple that died never realizing their purpose in life. This is so distressing as it was right under their noses. All they had to do was act on what Jesus said to do. God has called many to have big ministries, become inspiring writers, paint awesome paintings, take breathtaking photos, etc. and this is the destiny the Lord as given them, HOWEVER if you are not among them, do not fret as what could be better than walking in The Great Commission and performing the miracles the Lord told you to do. To put emphasis on this one final time let us look at Luke 4:18:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (NIV)

This is the destiny for ALL believers.

Just a note of caution. When you step out in faith, alas, more often than not, you will deal with the skeptics, critics, naysayers or a phrase I recently heard, ” the dogs of doom.” Unfortunately the negative comments usually come from those that are closest to us as well as from the enemy. Don’t listen!!!! If the Lord has laid something on your heart to accomplish, walk in faith and go for it. It doesn’t mean you won’t make mistakes as you will probably make plenty but that is ok. We learn from mistakes. Just let Christ pick you up, afterward step up to the plate again. If Jesus said we can do it, we can and that settles it fully!!!!

In closing, the best way to discover what the Lord’s plans are for you is to spend time with Him. As I said in the last blog “Frazzled,” just start out with 15 minutes a day. Don’t make it complicated. Pour your heart out to Him but take the time to listen. Get into the Word also as that is another way that the Lord will speak to you. Remember, He has a perfect plan for your life. Give your life to Him and that plan will come to pass.