Lately, I have been meditating on the uncompromising faithfulness of some great servants of God who I have been privileged to know. Of course, the list has to begin with Reverend Suliasi Kurolu, who began his walk for the Gospel many years ago through the islands of Fiji. He has never faltered. He never changed course. Nor, did he allow natural or spiritual obstacles to discourage him. Then, there is my pastor and friend, Dr. Tom Peters, whom I have known for twenty five years. I know of no better example of unwavering faithfulness. I also think of so many students I trained who have labored all these years in the shadows of anonymity. They are serving God faithfully. Many are in far away, hard places. Finally, I think of the servants of God who labored so faithfully to give financially and sacrificially to the work of missions and few people ever knew of their deep sacrifices. I think of those who looked beyond a leader’s human failings and saw his or her character shining through the difficulties. These people said, “I will stand with him (or her) because I see the character of God and I will be as faithful to stand with him as he is to stand with God.”
Please forgive me if what you are reading seems emotional in its nature, but I know the value of faithfulness. I have admired and tried to be like the people I have described to you. I have served and been served by them. Let there be no doubt that God is looking for faithful people who will do exactly what Jesus said in Mark 11:22, “Deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow me.” The reason I bring up this Scripture is that I know faithfulness is, by it’s very nature, sacrificial and costly. Faithfulness is the highest form of obedience.
I invite you to look honestly through the mirror of your soul. Who do you see? Is it a person who has lacked commitment to give the highest priority to service to God? I hope not. I pray that you see yourself as a person who was always willing to make the decision to deny personal fear or comforts, and take up the cross of service to God, every day, regardless of the cost. Faithfulness is a powerful character trait that God uses to spread the Gospel. It takes everyone who values it to places of victory, fruitfulness and peace. It is the distinguishing factor in a person’s ability to achieve his or her destiny. It defines what I like to call, the heart of a devil stomping warrior for Jesus!
Now that I have shared all of this, let me speak to you about destiny. What is it? Why is it so critically important to you? What will result in your choice to press ahead past every obstacle to gain it? Let’s look at these three questions one at a time.
First, what is destiny? This term is one we hear on a regular basis from the pulpit. Allow me to give you my personal understanding of it. The New Living Translation (NLT) of Psalms 73:24 says, “You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.” This Scripture affirms that your destiny is arrived at by faithfully following the guidance of God. Your destiny is something glorious. Let me add that destiny is the fullness of God’s blessed plan, individually and divinely designed just for you.
Second, destiny is critically important to you because when you fulfill your destiny, you fulfill your potential for maximum fruitfulness and eternal reward. You are a devil breaker and difference maker. You have your assigned part in eternity with all its battles and opportunities.
Third, what will result from your choice to press ahead past every obstacle to gain your destiny? Well, look past yourself and consider how your life could affect the destinies of countless others. You will be the difference to so many whose lives you touch. It bears repeating. You are a devil breaker and difference maker. If you fall short of your destiny, so many others will lose the chance of finding theirs. Now, that’s worth a serious thought concerning the level of your commitment to faithfully finish your race. The Apostle Paul wrote, in the Amplified Bible (AMP) version of 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.”
Consider the value of what you have just read. Has your commitment to faithfulness been strong enough? Go to the Lord in prayer and make a fresh commitment to uncompromising faithfulness. God will be pleased and you will be a blessing far beyond your own expectations.