Destiny

The word destiny is a form of the word destination.  It challenges the idea that we live a purposeless, meandering, pointless existence.  It projects a life that is leading to somewhere specific.  To me the thought that in His kingdom that I have a destiny and am heading for a specific destination is comforting.  The devil would have me believe that this life was random and that I was a victim of the chaos of the events around me.  He would have me seek meaning, identity, and direction from schemes of my own making.  He knows my nature of needing answers to the big questions and tries to misdirect me from reality.  But I know that my destiny is found in my creator.

This is a comforting thought in the chaos of life.  Though there is a plan and destination, the way is not straight and will have difficulties.  I will struggle to make sense of things.  I will not comprehend all the twists and turns that are in the path of my journey.  This confidence in my creator gives me a sense of purpose even in difficult moments.  It gives me stamina when I feel like giving up.  It gives me faith when I begin to doubt.  It gives me perspective and direction when I get lost and lose my way.  God is faithful to remind us when we lose that sense of destiny when we begin to forget.

The phrase “be strong and courageous” is repeated to each of the patriarchs when God began to sense that they needed a reminder.  Your destiny will require the best of you.  It will require all of you.  It will require strength and courage.  It will test you.  By its very nature, it will demand that you put away your masks and work out of reality.  It will be based on your unique gifts and skills.  It is what you are created for.  That means no confusion of identity.  No rejection of yourself or your creator will be allowed.  How can you walk in your destiny if you reject the giver of that destiny and the very skills it will require.  It is not possible to be weak and remain faithful to your true identity.

Your destiny is also a form of promise.  When Satan tries to discourage you, it stands as a stake in the ground to remind you that he is lying and cannot be trusted.  Remember that his job is to “steal, kill and destroy…” (John 10:10), while God promises “life and life more abundant” (John 10:10).  When Satan speaks he deceives.  That is his “natural language (John 8:44).  Your destiny stands whether you feel it or not.  It remains in Him as His promise to you and your future.  It may not be visible at this moment.  It may not seem to be moving fast enough.  One of my profs in college used to say, “God’s clock keeps perfect time.”  He does know what he is doing even the way may seem chaotic.  His promise remains even though the way is not without obstacles.  The power of His promise shows up uniquely when the way is difficult.  When the way seems dark and the obstacles rise ahead of you remember, your destiny is intact.  Your creator and the one who made the promise are still working on your behalf.  He has not forgotten you.  Remember to hold tightly to His hand so he can lead you through.  He will not let you fall.

The Supernatural Nature of Transformation and Awareness

 When thinking about salvation in today’s culture of doubt and denial the concept of salvation can lose its power.  Especially in American culture in an independence that asserts itself and attributes great power to the individual it is easy to forget the nature of the supernatural in faith.  Many people find themselves relying of self and ego and some human effort when thinking of salvation.  Merton is very clear that he believes that it is much more.  His comment is that salvation, “not merely a psychological thing – a self realization in the order of nature.  It is an objective and mystical reality – the finding of ourselves in  Christ, in the Spirit, or if you prefer, in the supernatural order”.  Merton asserts that it is the invasion of the supernatural into your human existence. 

This is especially important in the search for self.  It is not a self-improvement process.  It is about connecting to the transcendent, creator, redeemer God and allowing him to reveal or uncover it to you.  The secrets to this are not in you.  This is the difference in a Christian view and a secular world view.  The alternative to the idea that all you need to know is in you and if you slow down enough or become more self-aware you will realize it is that you need God’s help, and he is ready to guide you.

Merton’s assertion is that Salvation is the connection to the most powerful source in the universe.  It is the empowerment of your human flesh to have union with the God who created you and loves you.  In your union of love with him he will begin to reveal things about you to you.  His presence gives courage to journey deep.  Things that you long covered up or have forgotten will be restored through the process of revelation through relationship.  It is a lifetime process of working our that Salvation with fear and trembling.  It is not a self-improvement project or the outcome of effort of human.  This is different from other philosophies that attribute to man the power of change.  From a faith perspective Merton believed only God could bring restoration to man.  It required supernatural power to reverse the damage done by sin.  God has met the need and has provided just what is needed. 

If you have struggled against habits or your own human nature it is a natural outcome that you lose.  You instinctively know this from experience.  It is a supernatural process to bring transformation.  You can correct habits and lifestyle, but it does nothing to the heart.  It may make a big difference since life works better when you are not self-destructive, but it is not the transformation that God can bring.  It will involve your will, but it will also be empowered by the Holy Spirit.  So remember that there is more than self in self-improvement.  In fact is that is about our creator.

Man’s Dilema: The Loss of True Self

One of the struggles many face is the challenge to identify and to be true to themselves.  In some circles this is viewed as some new age quest or psychological rabbit trail.  In some cases it may be.  But it is also a valid spiritual question to answer. Our understanding of our identity is at the core of our effectiveness and our ability to .  It forms the foundation of what we can and will accomplish as we live out our journey of faith.  It will determine our approach and the depth of our relationship with Abba Father.  It will either be a barrier or a benefit to the development of your faith.  If you have an accurate sense of self based on God’s assessment you will be able accomplish the good works that God planned in advance for you to do.  If you have accepted the lies and insecurities of the deceiver and believed his assessment then you will be limited by those beliefs.  The sad reality that is reflected on by Thomas Merton is that most people live their whole lives without ever finding what he refers to as our True Self.  A majority reject God’s plan and are trapped in the chains of performance and pressure to be someone that they were never created to be. 

Because of sin, man no longer walks in union with his creator.  Man’s rebellion has set him against the one that he needs the most.  It has set up a barrier between man and the one that knows us the best.  Only until we can reunite and reestablish relationship will we find the answers that we need to begin the journey back to ourselves.  Only when we surrender ourselves to our creator can we find the answers of our unique creation.  He is ready, willing and able to reveal what he is calling us to and who we are.  He is able to lift us from our own wisdom to his.  He will give insight as we get glimpses of ourselves throughout different episodes of our journey. 

It takes courage to face who we really are.  While it is a journey of self-discovery it is also a time to discover of limitations and areas that are not strengths.  It does not take away our strengths, but all strengths have incumbent weaknesses.  It only means that we must be students of ourselves.  Being self-aware allows us to know who we are, what our strengths are, and our short comings.  We all have them and this is part of being human.  But if we are too dependent the approval of others we may be tempted to try to deny this reality.  This is where the courage comes in.  Are we willing to accept the self that God created us to be rather than succumb to the demands of all the voices around us.  As stated earlier most comply with the voices and never accept the beauty of God’s work in themselves.  They never experience the joy of fulfilment that flows from using their God given talents and skills.  They never rest in themselves but rather continue to strive to perform to meet the expectations of others.  This in itself is a rejection of God and his plan. 

Your Mission: (Should you choose to accept it...  LOL) is to begin a journey toward the one who made you and really snuggle in and to begin to see yourself as you are, as he sees you!