Don't abort your destiny...

​          Today I listened to an interview on the radio. One of the special guests was a friend of mine, Anesia Brebnor, who has written a book entitled, "When The Dust Calls." She was given the opportunity to promote her work and share her experience on writing it. As I listened I was blessed by what she shared, knowing some of the things myself as she had shared them with me. But I was also struck by one of those “look what the Lord has done” moments. She has been through a lot – pain, uncertainty, depression, discouragement - and to hear her testimony on the radio today and to know that out of all that tragedy, God has done and is truly doing some good things in her life is truly a blessing. But what if she had given up along the way…
         There are so many characters in the Bible who went through fiery trials. What if David had given up along the way? He never would have become king over Israel, a position God had anointed him for several years before he actually became king. What if Noah had decided to stop building the ark because he listened to the unbelief of the people who did not believe a flood was coming? He and his family would have been destroyed along with everyone else and the world would not have been repopulated. What if Jesus had given up along the way because of all the rejection and persecution He faced from His own people and chose not to go to the Cross? The world would be lost, and we would all be heading to a fiery eternity. And there are so many other examples. But they did not give up. No matter how tough things looked or felt, they kept going, they kept doing what they had to do because there was purpose.
         I am encouraged by my friend’s testimony because she could have given up along the way and I’m sure at times she did but guess what? God never gave up on her. He always brought her through the difficult times and out of all those challenges God has birthed a powerful and anointed dance ministry as well as a book with the promise of more books to come.
         You see, with God, purpose and destiny are important. We never go through anything in life for no reason. Everything He allows is for purpose and to help shape our destiny. The people we meet, the opportunities that come our way, the tragedies and the challenges all play an important role in God’s masterplan for our lives. We often don’t see it as that because day by day we are just trying to live, trying to survive, trying to make it from one day to the next. But with God, everything that He allows to come our way always has purpose behind it. 
         In my own life I have faced many challenges. I would have loved to not have gone through many of them. But I have found myself learning to thank God for the challenges that I’ve been through at times. In retrospect, when I look at where I am now I know that I am who I am because of the very things I wanted to run from. I like to say that I was a jellyfish, I had no backbone but now because of the things I have been through I can honestly say that God has used those tough times to build some much-needed backbone in me. Had my life been easy and without challenges, I may have had nothing to write about, no words of encouragement or strength to share with someone else. So, I thank God for it all, both good and bad because I can see His hand in everything that I have been through. 
         The temptation will always be there to give up along the way. “It’s too hard!” “I can’t do this,” may be familiar cries from your very soul. But God hears, sees and knows and will equip you with what you need to go through. Don’t abort your destiny. Don’t abort God’s plan and purpose for your life. On the other side of the pain, the suffering, the oppression, the shame and guilt, may be birthed a book that will speak to someone’s pain, a song that may inspire someone to go on, a dance that will give someone the strength to choose to try again, a ministry – whatever that may be for you – that may help someone to know that if you can make it so will they. If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ ask Him to come into your life and to take all the hurt, pain, struggle and to bring good out of it to inspire and encourage others. And if you are already one of His, keep your eyes fixed on your Source and let Him make a way. So, as tough as it is … Don’t. Give. Up!

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