Each of us is placed on this earth with a divine assignment from God. Our lives are not merely for our pleasure but to fulfill His purpose. There are moments, however, when we may unknowingly drift from that purpose, getting entangled in distractions—even those we might justify in the name of Jesus—only to discover we are inadvertently serving the enemy rather than our Lord. How do we break free from this entanglement and step into the destiny God has designed for us?
Jesus teaches us a profound truth in John 12:24: “Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” This scripture unveils a key principle: to fully live out God’s calling, we must first undergo a form of death—whether it’s death to pride, selfish desires, or even comfort.
Consider the life of a seed. On its own, it holds incredible potential, but to unlock that potential, the seed must be planted. And where does that planting occur? Not in the sunshine, where it remains untouched, but in the soil—a dark, unseen, and sometimes harsh environment. It is there that the seed transforms. The outer shell decomposes, and new life begins to emerge. In the same way, God may allow us to go through challenging seasons, where we feel buried, hidden, and broken. These moments, though difficult, are essential for our growth and the birthing of our destiny.
One of the greatest examples of this truth is found in the life of Joseph (Genesis 37-50). He was a beloved son, favoured by his father, but his path to greatness was anything but straightforward. Sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused, and thrown into prison, Joseph’s circumstances seemed far from the destiny of greatness that God had shown him in his dreams. Yet, in every pit and every prison, God was working behind the scenes to position him for his ultimate purpose—ruling over Egypt and saving his family during a famine.
Joseph’s life reminds us that what appears to be a setback is often God’s setup for our breakthrough. The moments when we feel buried are the very moments God is using to transform us and prepare us for the destiny He has in store.
No story better illustrates the journey from death to destiny than the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Luke 23-24). After enduring the agony of the cross, Jesus was placed in a tomb, buried in darkness. But on the third day, He rose again, defeating death and bringing forth new life for all who believe. Jesus’ resurrection shows us that even when all seems lost, God can bring about something far greater than we could imagine.
This journey from death to life is not just a story for Jesus and Joseph—it is the pattern for each of us. We must be willing to die to ourselves to walk fully into the destiny God has prepared for us.
| Three Disciplines to Help Us Die to Ourselves and Fulfill Our Destiny Train Your Thoughts The battlefield for destiny begins in the mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” When we let fear, doubt, or negativity dominate our thoughts, we limit what God can do in our lives. Philippians 4:8 exhorts us: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” By focusing on truth and renewing our minds daily, we align ourselves with God’s will and make room for His purpose to flourish. Tame Your Tongue Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” The words we speak can either build up or tear down the plans God has for us. We must be mindful of what we confess over our lives and the lives of others. Proverbs 18:6-7 warns us that foolish speech can lead to unnecessary strife and even our own downfall. To reach our destiny, we must speak life—words of faith, hope, and encouragement—over ourselves and others. Thrive in Godly Relationships Surrounding ourselves with the right people is crucial to walking in our purpose. 1 Corinthians 15:33 cautions, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” It’s not enough to have good relationships; we need Godly relationships. These are people who will encourage us in the faith, hold us accountable, and point us back to God’s Word when we stray. Seek out those relationships and invest in them, for they will be instrumental in helping you stay on course toward your destiny. God has a plan for each of us, but that plan often requires a journey of death to self before we can step into His destiny for our lives. Just as the seed must be buried to produce fruit, we too must surrender and trust that God is working in the unseen to bring about our transformation and ultimate victory. Let us press on, not shrinking from the difficulties, but embracing them as part of God’s divine process. From death comes life, and from the darkest moments come the greatest destinies. |
