Destiny
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” ~ William Shakespeare
“Destiny” is a word that is bandied about and used in all sorts of ways and with all sorts of meanings. Some see destiny as fate while others see destiny in a somewhat romanticized way. As Christians, we realize that our ultimate destiny is heaven. That is our soul’s true desire. We long for the day that we are united with the Lord in heaven.
Some people think that destiny (eternity with God) is something that is arranged long before we were even born. They see it as predestination. Because of their belief, they do not think that anything we do here on earth can affect that predetermined moment. In believing so, they totally leave out free will.
God has given us many gifts and He asks us to use those gifts in our daily lives. Each day, God invites us to follow Him in faithfulness and trust. Each day, we decide whether or not to accept His invitation. Ultimately, at the end of our lives, God will invite us to live with Him forever. We will either accept or reject His invitation.
Our acceptance or rejection pretty much will be shaped by our constant choices here on earth. If we spent our entire lives rejecting God’s invitation to faithfulness, one would presume that we would reject His invitation to live with Him forever. Because God loved us so much and gave us free will, the choice truly is ours to make.
Let me repeat, the choice is ours to make. “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” We cannot blame others for the things that happen to us because of the choices that we make because the choices we make are made freely. Our true destiny is eternity with God. When the invitation is extended, choose wisely.
FAITH ACTION: Let your words and deeds today reflect your desire to live with the Lord forever.