Dear COA Family,
What is destiny and is there truly such a thing?
First, it is referred to numerous times in the Bible. An example
is when Paul writes that “God has not destined us for wrath,
but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ”
(1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Yet what does it truly mean to be destined?
Some understand destiny as a fixed and unchangeable future.
In this view, the major events of life are already determined:
whom you will marry, what career you will pursue, whether
you will succeed or fail, and even the trials you will face. Life
becomes a script that has already been written and we simply
act out what has been decided.
This way of thinking can be comforting at times, especially
when life feels uncertain. Yet it can also be dangerous, because
it quietly removes responsibility. If everything is already fixed,
then our choices do not really matter. There is little reason to
struggle against sin, to pursue holiness or to make wise decisions,
since whatever happens will happen anyway.
Destiny in the Christian faith is not presented in this way biblically.
Scripture consistently calls people to respond, to choose and to
act. We are called to repent, to believe, to persevere and to obey.
These commands only make sense if our decisions truly matter.
The Bible never portrays human beings as passive participants
in a predetermined script. Instead, it shows a relationship
between God’s call and our response. God invites and we must
answer. God leads and we must follow. God provides grace and
we must receive it.
Salvation is portrayed as a journey from justification to
sanctification and, finally, to glorification (Romans 8:29-30).
While our future has not been set in stone, God has a purpose for
our lives. God has a goal for humanity and He calls each person
toward that goal. In this sense, we may speak of destiny not as a
fixed sequence of events, but as God’s intended purpose.
God desires that we know Him, that we are transformed into the
likeness of Christ, and that we share in His eternal life. This is the
destiny toward which God calls us.
As we approach AGM this year and look forward to a new season
of service, let us recommit to serving our Lord’s purpose with all of
our heart. By doing so, we are journeying into the destiny that He
has wonderfully and graciously provided for us.
God bless,
Revd Ian