Destiny Seeker? Pick up your cross!

Matthew 16:24 "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (NIV)

My faith in God has grown through a variety of stepping stones and surrender. Obedience and applying his word to my life is what really has transformed my heart. I love God but will I love him enough to obey his leading? Or will I still hold back even that 10 percent? We want to follow - but we are not too enthusiastic about picking up that cross and carrying it. We would rather find the Staples "Red Easy" button to make life easier. In Jesus own words, he states in Matt 10:38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me".

I am a single christian woman who does not have the answers to many of life's questions and I may never have them. I have not received the "dreams" that I asked for...but I know this, God is God and he is my father. Jesus is the love of my life that I have been able to count on as my rescuer, friend and redeemer. He knows my destiny ..for his words remind me that he knows the plans he has for me and I have an eternal destiny with him.

Don't we all have the same destiny? Our spiritual destiny is to be with the Lord eternally. Are you aware that your destiny is in action the minute you wake up in the morning? ..And without that cup of coffee too! The next time someone ask you ... Have you fulfilled your destiny?... make sure you know how to answer that first for yourself. Realize that your destiny was being fulfilled long before you were created and activated the moment you opened up your heart to Jesus. When you surrendered your heart that day, his likeness took front seat in your heart and transformation has been occurring in phases: primarily getting to know God, reading and applying his word. Most of all, your heavenly father has manifested himself through your painful setbacks and your victories.

Jesus destiny on earth was to offer his life on the cross for us. He took upon himself a great amount of pain that represented every horrific act committed by humanity, disease and broken hearts that have been spilled on this earth. All this for our eternal freedom! We can always lean on him and he will swoop down and carry us when we just cant make it up that hill. He offers an eternal guarantee of enduring love with no expiration date.

Don't you see? That amazing man that walked through the lilies of the field, heard birds singing in the morning that his Father God created, hugged his mother, worked as a carpenter, fed 5,000 people all at once, quieted storms, made blind men see, rose the dead! Why even the hem of his garment was so powerful that it changed a woman's life who had suffered a debilitating illness for 12 years! That's greatness! That is true destiny! You have a great destiny because you belong to someone that has already paved the way of greatness, Jesus Christ! A unique destiny, a one-of-a-kind pattern that God has created for you. You have your points of ministry sprinkled throughout every day of your life.

Never try to be above everyone else, but never drop below what God has destined for you. 2 Cor 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me". Never think you are not 'worthy' of him because you are-- through his Grace! Will you love him enough to follow him no matter what?

Seeking destiny? Why my friend, you found it. You are destined to be eternally with Jesus. So make your life count in the now! Many years ago, two arms opened wide experiencing pain and agony that we wouldn't be able to withstand for 5 minutes and yet those arms represent a LOVE so great for us which is the reason why we have even been created in the first place. Put your focus on the character of who God the father is and his son Jesus who died for us. To know Jesus is to know truth. If we know his truth, then we are freed from the crutches of "mainstream destiny" gimmicks! His word is the only map you will need with the leading of the Holy Spirit! No real need to figure out your visual boards, no destiny wheels to spin around, no destiny DVD of the month club to join. Your destiny is to be eternally with Christ!

Thank you Jesus for your great sacrifice for humanity, my life, for those loving arms that opened wide to give me life in full. The fullness that you have destined for me, not the 'fullness' that society defines. You want to find your dream? You want to be a destiny seeker? PICK up our cross and follow Jesus to the max!