Destiny of Choice

 

Destiny is often misunderstood. It holds a mystery to it, like a power you cannot fight. It seems as though it is a force that sucks you in, and there is little you can do about it. We get images of Luke Skywalker fighting the pull to the dark side as Darth Vader tells him, “It s your destiny.” That is not truly what destiny is. I believe we all have a destiny to fulfill that is given to us by God. It is our life’s purpose that we were created to do. But I also believe in free will and that we have a choice as to where our life will lead us.

Success-minded people believe in destiny. We can call it purpose, a dream, a goal, or whatever fits our line of thinking. But we know it is the thing we are created to do, and we will never feel complete until we are doing it. To follow our destiny, however, is a choice we make, not something that is thrust upon us. Reality is that many people have lived and died without fulfilling their purpose in life. They did not take control, and therefore, they did not live. As Jack Welch, former CEO of G.E., said, “Control your destiny or someone else will.”

“Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for,

 it is a thing to be achieved.”

William Jennings Bryan

1860-1925

Politician

 

As a success-minded person, you know what you are here to do. You feel the fire burning in your soul, and you cannot escape it. You want this enough that you will do what you must to achieve it. Success-minded people know that just because they know their destiny does not mean they will fulfill it automatically. You have to work at it. Your attitude toward your dream must be like that of Hannibal as his army faced the Alps, “We will either find a way or make one.”

Destiny demands that we choose to follow it or to allow others to lead us. It takes courage and determination to achieve your destiny in life. That is why you must hold the mindset of a success-minded person.  As the author and English clergyman, Sydney Smith said, “A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage.”

Do not think that you are under the control of some other person or government or church. You are given a dream because God intended for you to fulfill it. He is aware of the limits you see and expects you to fight for your destiny. “Victory is always possible,” wrote Napoleon Hill, “for the person who refuses to stop fighting.” Or as baseball great Yogi Berra made it a bit clearer, “You just can’t beat the guy who won’t give up.” Keep working and doing what you know; you must achieve the dream. Victory will be yours if you stay the course and fix your eyes and heart on the goal. It is your destiny!

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:13-14

 

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey. To get his books, training material, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   

© 2020 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without the permission of the author.