Reaching for YOUR destiny

My Pastor has been teaching a series on Joseph and his journey to fulfilling his destiny. If you haven't read the story of Joseph I strongly suggest you do ( Genesis 37-46). You see when Joseph was 17 years old he dreamt of his purpose; his destiny. Hatred and jealousy lead his brothers, his own blood to sell him into slavery, they desired to kill him but God didn't allow that to happen. God does not have respect of person and no vessel is too small to be used. Pay attention to your children and what they are saying to you; you may not know the meaning of what is being said but their purpose is devised long before their birth. Even though Josephs brothers sought to get rid of him they were actually placing him right where he needed to be to bless them and raise a nation.

Joseph was in prison for 13 years... Can you imagine being locked up for 13 years for something you didn't do; for only sharing what God has presented you with. This doesn't have to be a physical jail but any situation that has you bound. Being mistreated by those you love, financial hardships, family issues, sometimes nothing in your life seems to be going the way you want them to go. Something my Pastor is big on is reminding us to stop looking at where we are and what we are going through but where God is taking us. As believers we will go through things, hard things, hurtful things, but we have to see these experiences as opportunities to witness and serve others through our experiences....

 Joseph never stopped using his gifts and remained faithful to God and eventually walked right into his destiny. How many times do you find yourself in situations where instead of remaining faithful to God you curse him for where he has you. Job that doesn't pay as much as you feel you are worth, neighborhood your embarrassed to admit you live in. Instead of cursing God ask him why are you where you are and what needs to be done. I left a job and ended up at another job making the same exact money that is no where near any field I'd ever worked in. I asked God "why do you have me here Lord? This isn't a coincidence so why am I here." Come to find out there was a program at my church that had faded away and because I am now working at my current job I have already taken steps to get certified in that particular area. God has a plan for you that he is working out long before you ever realise it.

Eventually Joseph was face to face with his brothers who betrayed him. He was the only person who could help them and instead of hating them he ultimately showed them compassion and embraced them as brothers and not foes. It is HARD to love someone who has done you wrong but in order to be a true follower of Christ you have to do just that. I have had friends talk bad about me, do wrong against me, mock me. I have had people try to hinder me and be spiteful against me. Instead of fighting fire with fire I fight fire with prayer and not for the situation but for their soul, their healing, them being blessed. This seems super crazy but Ephesians 3:32 says And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Imagine the hurt and pain you have caused another person; what if they cast you aside forever because of it.

Your experiences are preparing you for your destiny; appreciate them. There is a saying that says "if you haven't been in a situation you can't tell me how to get out of it." It's one thing to see someone going through something but you have a totally different perspective walking in it. I would have loved to live a life with no drama, no tears, and no heartache, but then who was I really going to help. You can not appreciate the rainbow unless you went through the rain. Just like sunshine (good days, favorable times) and nourishment (reading the word, teachings, your prayer life, your works in the church) are needed so is rain (hardships, famine in your life, trials)... The more you go through the more God has in store for you therefore the stronger you will become. Remain faithful; it's darkest before the dawn so right when you feel you can't hold on any longer just remember your breakthrough is right around the corner. And in everything NEVER develop a hardened heart. Genesis 45:5 says Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life. Joseph was not angry with his brothers for selling him; he recognized it was God that had sent him there to ultimately save their entire nation. Some things we go through are situations that we put ourselves in and the consequences thereof, some are the enemy trying to hinder us from reaching our ultimate destiny and some are God carrying out his plan for us. While they all feel the same the end results are different.

The first step to reaching your destiny is embracing that fact that there is a specific purpose set aside for you. Not everyone will be a preacher or a teacher but every person in the body of Christ is important and must work together for the full functioning of the vessel. Believe in God's plan for your life and no matter what walk in your destiny. Remain faithful in adverse times and when things start clearing up remember God and how he brought you out of your situation. Really read the story of Joseph because he is a true example of reaching your destiny and divine purpose set aside by God.