Destiny
Philippians 2:12 says “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling”, which literally means to “work down to the end-point” or an exact, definitive conclusion. Destiny is neither fate nor divine determinism. A Christian understanding of destiny involves the full participation of the person in response to God’s initiative, purpose, and calling. Glenn Tinder writes: “My destiny is my own self-hood, given by God, but given not as an established reality, like a rock or a hill, but as a task lying under a divine imperative.” Caroline Simon observes that “Destiny is unlike fate in that a destiny can be failed or refused; it is what God intends, but does not compel, me to be. It is something that must not only be accepted but discovered and realized. Each person’s destiny is unique, personal, and freely chosen. God confers on humans the dignity of being creators of their own destinies within the limits of God’s intentions…a destiny is a range of possible lives, all of which would be different ways of becoming one’s ‘true self’”. [Carol Simon. The Disciplined Heart, pg 19-20]
Divine Assignment
A mini-calling presented as an opportunity, problem, or need that arises and presents itself to us. Some are very short-lived and momentary as when a circumstance is linked with spiritual nudges and personal abilities/resources that calls for your response [good deeds or works]. Some are longer-term engagements that match your unique gifting with a divine imperative. The key is when circumstances and/or opportunities meet capacity and divine directive that advances the Kingdom of God.
Divine Calling
John Shuster says “calls are invitations from life to serve, to activate your will toward a cause worthy of you and the human family. They are purposes with a voice, visions turned into inner commands. Calls draw you into the specifics of a purpose and a vision. Calls command that your attach yourself to something infinite and lasting so you can escape the life you thought you deserved and replace with the life you were meant for.”
Gordon Smith describes three categories of calling: a General call to follow Jesus Christ; a Specific call which defines purpose or mission with a reason for being unique to each person; and an Immediate call which are tasks or duties that God calls each person in the present time and circumstances.
Os Guinness, referring to our secondary calling says that everyone, everywhere, and in everything should think, speak, live, and act entirely for God. Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to his summons and service.
Soren Kierkegaard said “the thing is to understand myself, to see what God really wants me to do; the thing is to find a truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I can live and die.”
Spiritual Gift
Coming soon.
KLN Taxonomy
Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”