Divine Destiny

     There's a lot of talk these days about destiny. Everytime you turn around someone seems to be wooing you to find your place in this big old world of ours. Movies are made, books are written and songs are sung about it. It's also heralded from the pulpits of many churches, but with a new, holier sounding name..."divine destiny". If you're like most, you've spent much time (not to mention money and other valuable resources) pondering over and in search of this elusive destination.
     I too have spent more time than I'd like to remember on the hunt for mine. Seems most of my life was spent running here or there and doing this or that in order to discover what it is that I was attaining to. However, at long last I have found the target on which my life is now aimed. Its not a job or occupation, it's not a dot on a map or even a particular ministry for the Lord. No, it's something so beyond what I dreamed of & yet, it was right under my nose all the while.
     Jesus described this target as a buried treasure and a pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44). In Philippians 3:14, Paul even called it a prize!  In fact, Jesus told us that if we would ask for it, it would be given; if we would search for it with all of our heart, we would find it; and if we would knock, it would be opened up to us. As for Paul, he counted all else, including his very own life, as rubbish compared to it.
     So what is this destiny of which I speak?  It is none other that Jesus Christ & his very own nature being imbued into us, his disciples.  "For whom he (God) did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" Romans 8:29. To have the nature, love, holiness, will, thoughts, values, character, speech, and behavior of Jesus....yes, this is our mark! This is the divine destiny for all who will take up their cross daily, follow him and endure until the end.  It will cost you everything on earth, but imagine for a moment what awaits those who finish the race! (1 Corinthians 2:9)
     Bless you and may the Lord give each of you the spirit of power, love & self control to press on with great courage in these last days (2 Timothy 1:7).