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November 8, 07

Cross the Street to Your Destiny

by Shana Schutte

Ever since you were small, someone has been telling you want you can't do. Your mother told you that you couldn't walk down the middle of the street; your father told you that you couldn't ride your bike without a helmet, and your teachers told you that you couldn't run in the school hallway.

During life, there are hundreds of people who not only tell us what we cannot do, but what we can't accomplish.

"You can't be a chemist. You're not analytical enough." "You can't be a professional singer. You're not attractive enough." "There is no way you'll make it as a teacher. You're not patient enough." "You must be kidding! You want to be a pastor's wife? You won't be a good role model."

Life has a way of conditioning us to take the criticism of others to heart. Even into adulthood, we're often waiting for someone to tell us it's okay to "cross the street" to our calling. Why is it that we think others know more about our dreams, capabilities and heart than we do?

Several years ago, I realized I'd been waiting for someone to encourage me to write a book. I thought if another, more-successful writer validated me, then I could start moving toward my dream. One day as I browsed the bookstore for inspiration from an accomplished writer, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, "Why are you looking for a leader outside yourself? Write what I have given you."

No matter who you are, or what you want to accomplish, the only leader you need to move toward your calling is the Holy Spirit. If God is for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31).

Even Jesus knew when to ignore naysayers who wanted to prevent Him from accomplishing God's purpose. In Luke 4:30, those in His hometown became furious when He said He was sent by God. To destroy Him, they drove Him out of town, to the top of a hill so they could throw Him over a cliff. What did Jesus do? He walked through the crowd and went His way.

Because He knew who He was and who His Father was, He decided He would "cross the street" to His destiny, even if no one but God gave Him permission.

Sometimes the best way to move on to God's purpose for us is to ignore negative evaluations and comments--and just like Jesus, go merrily on our way.

Do you have a God-given dream? Are you waiting for someone to tell you that you're good enough? Talented enough? That God has really called you? You don't need to look for a leader outside yourself. You've got a "thumbs up" from the God of the Universe. What else do you need?

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

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