We have all met people whom we admire. They seem to have it all going their way: something intangible that fuels them with energy, creativity, purpose and “Midas touch” results. Finances often follow such people, but their prosperity in life is much broader than money. They are happy, secure in their identity, and charismatic with their family and friends. We call them “connected.” They are in touch with a theme that God wrote in the desires of their hearts that guides toward their destiny. It’s a snapshot of what God has for all of us.
Recipes don’t work – When we see the people described above, our mental computers start to list the ingredients that we can copy to achieve the same life. It doesn’t work. All those successful beliefs and behaviors seen on the surface have much deeper roots in their hearts. Putting on the same makeup doesn’t make us beautiful.
We are all guided toward destiny at a heart level. God has written something unique in each of us that can’t be reproduced with imitation. You would think that what has obviously worked for someone else, would work for me if I just followed the recipe… used their procedures and process. Multi-level marketing is hugely successful for people with gift a for sales, but the washout rate for those who try to follow them with different gifts is about 95%. Twelve-step recovery programs also have dismal statistics. Trying to change behavior and get results by putting our attitudes and behavior on a diet doesn’t work… because it ignores the heart. Self-discipline is necessary, but never enough by itself.
You can’t get to destiny in your own strength – The cool people who are on their way to destiny have another intangible: some would call it luck. There is some external force cooperating with them! Yes, they have a great work ethic, but it’s much more than that. They have a network of people who have helped them. Circumstances have been arranged somewhere between fortuitous and providential. The right ideas, the right people and the right resources seem to show up at the right time! Why? First, they are tapped into their own hearts doing what they love. And second, what is written in their hearts is connected to something much greater than themselves. For them, the journey is fun because its pointed toward their dream.
Carried by something greater than ourselves – People plugged into destiny have yet another intangible: a child-like enthusiasm that looks into the face of something much greater than themselves. When we get past the surface, we see them fueled by a purpose that is much larger than they are. They carry a blueprint of the future in their hearts and they are simply working like eager beavers to build it in the present. That blueprint isn’t borrowed or copied; it belongs to them like an assignment from Heaven… because it is. Our hearts all ask one question in life… “Why?” Those who know the answer are naturally happier and more productive.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isa 40:29-31 NIV
Follow me – The impact of Kingdom in the earth right now is that many secular people and corporations are discovering the benefits of “higher purpose.” Some call it social responsibility. They are touching Kingdom values God wrote in their hearts, not yet knowing the God who wrote them there. At the same time, believers are just beginning to come out of a rather introverted version of faith to make a difference in their culture (7 mountains).
I read this quote this morning,
Jesus never once asked anyone to worship him, yet I can count at least 29 times where He said “Follow me.”
Instead of contrasting worship and following, I would join them. Worship is so in love, it follows the Father and works with Him.
Spending time with God in devotions isn’t just a prayer closet. God has called us to be movers and shakers, not Monks. Time in His presence and time with him implies going with him. Our destiny is fueled by purpose, but at a deeper level it’s fueled by a person who owns that purpose. Spirituality is mystical and miraculous, but it is also purposeful and practical. We worship in Spirit and Truth. Our Father is still working and so are we – with purpose and passion and love.
“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” John 5:17 NIV
…”but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. John 9:3-4 NIV
it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:10-14 NIV
The cool people are just tapped into doing what their Father is doing. Kingdom is fun!
- We are all originals, uniquely chosen with purpose by God.
- When we find our “why,” we soar on eagle’s wings. We would never want to be someone else.
- Our individual destiny is connected with a much larger Kingdom strategy. It’s more important than we realize. Our lives are an adventure with significance.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Ps 103:2-5 NIV
