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Consider Your Destiny

 


A bird flew into a factory and landed on a conveyor belt. The belt took him upwards on an incline.  He looked very relaxed and secure. He was content just to remain poised and enjoy the ride. What he did not realize was the danger that awaited him at the top. The belt would soon spill him out into an opening. At the bottom of this opening were very powerful grinder gears designed to crush and destroy. Unfortunately for this bird, he did not acknowledge the danger until it was too late.

The bible is filled with warnings about our own destiny. Jesus taught, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

The broad path is far easier to be on. If fact, it requires nothing of us. If we are not on the narrow path, then we are on the broad path by default. Because it is so easy, many do not question the path, nor do they consider where it leads. They are much like the bird on the conveyor belt. They are comfortable with where they are, and they firmly believe that in the end all will be as right as rain. Therefore, Jesus warns us to be mindful of our destiny.

The Israelites had a real problem with foresight which resulted in Babylonian captivity. The bible records, “Her uncleanness is in her skirts; she did not consider her destiny; therefore, her collapse was awesome; she had no comforter. ‘O Lord, behold my affliction, for the enemy is exalted!’” (Lamentations 1:9)

Long before they went into captivity, the Lord sent prophets to His people, warning them to repent before destruction comes. However, “they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.” (2 Chronicles 36:16)

The question is, “What about us?” God’s warnings are clearly made in the bible. It is a matter of going beyond the boundaries of our comfort zone and acknowledging the pending danger that lurks ahead. Will we remain confident and secure riding that conveyor belt to the top? Or will we recognize the danger and spread our wings and fly away to safety while we still can? The choice is ours and ours alone. Only we can take the time to consider our own destiny.

God Bless each of you,

Eric Hicks

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