Living Your Unique Destiny

“Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind. When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, ‘Master, what's going to happen to him?’ Jesus said, ‘If I want him to live until I come again, what's that to you? You—follow Me.’”
John 21:20-22 (MSG)

Following His resurrection, Jesus met with Peter to restore him and prepare him for his own unique destiny. Jesus told Peter that the weakness that led him to deny Christ would soon be replaced with boldness to proclaim the Gospel, even in the face of suffering and death. Once self-confident, Peter knew that he had overestimated himself before, and he didn’t want to make the same mistake again. When challenged with his own destiny, he asked Jesus what would happen to John. Jesus’ response was abrupt.  “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You – follow Me!” John 21:22 (MSG)

Each of us has our own unique destiny. The problem comes when we begin to compare ourselves with others. It’s unfair to compare. You lose no matter what. If you compare yourself with those who are better, you feel worse. If you compare yourself to those in worse situations than you, you can become prideful. Either way, you lose! In Galatians 6:4 (MSG), Paul says, “Don’t compare yourself with others.” In 2 Corinthians 10:12, he says it’s stupid to compare ourselves with others or even measure ourselves by others.

Are you caught in the comparison trap? Your destiny is unique. God made you to be you. He has a special purpose for you, but you will never be able to realize it if you are focused on what He is doing in someone else’s life. Listen to Jesus’ charge to Peter when he was tempted to compare himself to John. Jesus told him that John’s destiny had nothing to do with Peter. What Jesus had in mind for Peter was unique and special. He told Peter, “You – follow Me!” That’s really all we need to know - isn’t it? Our responsibility is not to create a destiny but to follow the Lord Jesus wherever He may lead us and to do whatever He may call us to do. One day, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. The only thing that will matter is what we did for Jesus during our lives. Did we follow Him?

Who are you following today? What are you doing with your one-and-only life that matters for all eternity? The invitation Jesus gave to us all is the same – “Follow Me!” But the destiny of our lives is unique. As you follow Jesus day by day, His destiny for you will unfold. Like Peter, you will be amazed at what God can do through a life that is wholly yielded to Him! Keep following Jesus! It’s the adventure of a lifetime! 

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Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.

Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.