April 09
Soul Cravings – Part II: Destiny
In his book Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus tells us:
All of us long to become something more than we are. We are driven to achieve, moved to accomplish, fueled by ambition. It burns hotter in some than in others, but it is within all of us. We’ve all reached for our unique purpose, our divine destiny, or simply a sense of significance or some measure of success.
Destiny
God has given each of you a gift....
I Peter 4:10a (NIV)
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability ... speak out ... teach well ... encourage ... give generously ... take the responsibility seriously ... do it gladly.
Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)
For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Destiny. I don’t know how old I was when I first thought about destiny. Probably I was an adult. As a kid, I was quiet and shy and I struggled. Destiny? Most likely the farthest thing from my mind. I just wanted to pass second grade. I struggled—especially in school. Early each school year, the teacher would express her doubts, “Mrs. Soderquist, I just don’t know. I think we may have to hold Craig back a year....” But then somehow, as if by magic or Divine intervention, at year end a cerebral rocket was lit, and I would catch up to the other students and get promoted to the next grade. Miraculous.
I was tail-end Charlie most years, but as I look back I realized there was one thing I was good at. In fact, I was better at this than anyone else. You probably did this at school too. It was this little diversion before holidays. I was the kid who was able to find the most words out of a holiday phrase. In my sixth-grade class in Illinois, the phrase was MERRY CHRISTMAS. In Florida, the phrase was about MEMORIAL DAY. I was the champ, the supreme victor. I smoked ‘em—in two states!
It was a little thing really, but it was a hint of where my heart was—in words, in written language and in story. I love words. I love playing with them, and I think God designed me to use words, to tinker with them, to help communicate His love and desire for people. This is part of my destiny—to be about words and to touch people’s heart with life-changing truth. When said that way, it doesn’t seem like a little thing at all. It seems more like ... destiny ... even for the slowest kid in the class....
What has God put within you? Something good I know. He has carefully placed these simple things, good things, satisfying things in all of us. It’s a soul craving, a desire to fulfill. A destiny....
Lord, unfold our destinies in Your time ... for Your glory. Amen.
Soul Cravings – Part II: Destiny
In his book Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus tells us:
All of us long to become something more than we are. We are driven to achieve, moved to accomplish, fueled by ambition. It burns hotter in some than in others, but it is within all of us. We’ve all reached for our unique purpose, our divine destiny, or simply a sense of significance or some measure of success.
Destiny
God has given each of you a gift....
I Peter 4:10a (NIV)
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability ... speak out ... teach well ... encourage ... give generously ... take the responsibility seriously ... do it gladly.
Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)
For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Destiny. I don’t know how old I was when I first thought about destiny. Probably I was an adult. As a kid, I was quiet and shy and I struggled. Destiny? Most likely the farthest thing from my mind. I just wanted to pass second grade. I struggled—especially in school. Early each school year, the teacher would express her doubts, “Mrs. Soderquist, I just don’t know. I think we may have to hold Craig back a year....” But then somehow, as if by magic or Divine intervention, at year end a cerebral rocket was lit, and I would catch up to the other students and get promoted to the next grade. Miraculous.
I was tail-end Charlie most years, but as I look back I realized there was one thing I was good at. In fact, I was better at this than anyone else. You probably did this at school too. It was this little diversion before holidays. I was the kid who was able to find the most words out of a holiday phrase. In my sixth-grade class in Illinois, the phrase was MERRY CHRISTMAS. In Florida, the phrase was about MEMORIAL DAY. I was the champ, the supreme victor. I smoked ‘em—in two states!
It was a little thing really, but it was a hint of where my heart was—in words, in written language and in story. I love words. I love playing with them, and I think God designed me to use words, to tinker with them, to help communicate His love and desire for people. This is part of my destiny—to be about words and to touch people’s heart with life-changing truth. When said that way, it doesn’t seem like a little thing at all. It seems more like ... destiny ... even for the slowest kid in the class....
What has God put within you? Something good I know. He has carefully placed these simple things, good things, satisfying things in all of us. It’s a soul craving, a desire to fulfill. A destiny....
Lord, unfold our destinies in Your time ... for Your glory. Amen.
posted by Craig Soderquist at 9:29 AM
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