One cannot sow a destiny – well, not straight from the seed packet. There are a couple of simple intermediate steps which are:

Sow a thought – reap an act
Sow an act – reap a habit
Sow a habit – reap a destiny

Proverbs 23:7 tell us about the human condition. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he; Eat and drink, he says to you, but his heart is not with you.”

What we think – we are. It conditions us. If we say “yes I can,” then we can. But if we say “I cannot,” then we cannot. God told Joshua to meditate on His word all the time, day and night; to keep it always before him (Joshua 1:8). When we do this, we begin to condition ourselves towards the destiny which the Lord has set for us. But it needs positive thought – not negative. The negative comes from the enemy who is a liar and he is the father of lies.

We are told clearly in Romans 12:2 “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.” To do this, we must change this thought, to an act. Thinking alone will not get us there – we are to prove ourselves in action. It is through our actions, we shall be judged and known, both in the earthly realm and in the spiritual. (Remember here Ephesians 2:8 that “for by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”; so we are not working or acting here to be saved but as Philippians 2:12 says, we are to “cultivate your own salvation with fear and trembling.”)

Colossians 3:8-10 provided simple and direct instructions to help us in this task. Though written 2,000 years ago they are still fresh and appropriate for us today:

“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

As we begin to grow in this proper and positive action, we begin to grow a habit. It becomes second nature after a short time. We begin to look back askance at what we once were, as and when friends and family provide a mirror in which we can see our growth. But in this change and growth we must be careful not to make a god out of the changes and the new lifestyle – becoming pious and self righteous. No, we must be wary of that trap which Satan has neatly set in our paths. As soon as we recognise our changes, or worse still, have them pointed out by others and hear their praise at “the new you”, the spirit of pride raises its ugly head, waiting to pounce. We need to give all thanks to the Lord for all our changes – honest praise where it is due – and repent of our sin of pride and piety.

As we move on in this path, we become moderated. We begin to produce the fruit of the spirit of Galatians 5:22-23 “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” By our fruit we are known and recognised. Bearing this fruit means we are on the path from sowing our habit to reaping our destiny. Philippians 4:4-7 gives us an understanding of the changes in us as we grow and grow in Christ. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

We then begin to rely on the word of the Lord and trust Him explicitly for our wellbeing and all decisions, for we then know that “with God, nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37) and he will meet all our needs (Philippians 4:19) for He provides for those who fear Him (Psalm 111:5). When we begin to recognise this and act on this, we are beginning to find out Destiny and act upon it. The Lord says He is coming again for His elect. To be in that elect, we need to have a relationship with our Saviour, to be his friend. But to be a friend of Jesus is conditional, for John 15:14 tells us “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” Note the “if” in the middle. “IF” you are my friends, you will do as I command. If not, then “I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:23) and depart to where? Jesus tell in Matthew 25:46 – they “shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

I pray that you will do whatever Jesus commands of you.

Amen and Amen