Your Destiny Door is in the Floor

YOUR DESTINY DOOR IS IN THE FLOOR

So, what exactly does that mean? I haven’t seen many doors in floors, and when I’ve seen one, it leads to a cellar. You climb down a rickety ladder into the musty, damp gloom to get there. So, what does this have to do with destiny?  We enter into what God has planned for us through humility. The door to your destiny is in the floor.

Several weeks ago, I blogged about the humility that Jesus showed when He allowed John the Baptist to baptize Him. As John so aptly said, “I have need to be baptized by You!” Jesus replied, saying, “Permit it for now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Matthew 3:13-15

I can picture it. John stands knee deep in the river, mouth hanging open and eyes wide in disbelief as he listens to Jesus’ request. Perhaps Jesus smiles and gives John a little wink as He extends His hand so John can help Him into the water. In this moment at the Jordan River, Jesus enters His ministry, and He invites John to participate in it by letting John baptize Him.

Thirty years of preparation brought Jesus to this point, and He wants to share this event with the one who  prepares others for His coming. He chooses to go low and be baptized by someone less important than He, but who makes the way for Him by calling people to repentance.

In this manner, He demonstrated to the whole world the power of humility. Jesus gave us a clear picture of who He was—not just a king who needed a straight path, but a humble God who honors us and works with us. He reinforced the theme He established when He was born. Before Jesus became the Savior of the world, He humbled Himself to become human. God’s unsurpassed humility is evidenced by these acts.

“As we observe His example, we can follow in His footsteps. Humility of heart and honor for one another mark the entrance to the destiny God chooses for us.” from How Jesus Empowers Us to Fulfill Our Destiny.

THE LEAST OF THESE

(Mark 1:15) Jesus came to establish the kingdom of God on earth, however, He began in a humble way. In the following parable, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” Matthew 13:32 NKJV

You may feel as insignificant as a mustard seed; too small to make a difference in your world. However, just as God put DNA in the mustard seed so it could grow, God deposited abilities in us to build His kingdom.

God always starts small. Humble beginnings are the gateway to greatness.

HARD TIMES TEACH US HUMILITY

When I broke my hip in 2018, I couldn’t drive, couldn’t clean, and cooking was difficult. Helping family and friends came to a halt. Independent by nature, I now had to rely on others. It seemed like I had lost control of my own life. Going under the knife for a partial hip replacement gave me a great sense of loss. I felt invaded. My mind also suffered because the opioids prescribed to manage pain muddled my thinking.

Only when I humbly acknowledged my limitations could I see God’s plan. Although God didn’t cause my accident, He used it to teach me to rest and draw near to Him. He showed me that my efforts to help others were sometimes sourced in a need for approval. When I understood that I already had God’s approval, I could help people joyfully. There was no need to fear losing the esteem of others.

The kingdom of God dwells within us. (Luke 17:21) Just like a mustard seed sprouts when it receives sun and rain, God’s nature in us will grow when we know the joy of His approval. Jesus imparted His approval (righteousness) to us when He redeemed us.

“God’s kingdom does not consist of what a person eats or drinks. Rather, God’s kingdom consists of God’s approval and peace, as well as the joy that the Holy Spirit gives.” Romans 14:17 GW

 As the mustard seed grows, it becomes a tree where birds nest in its branches. As we grow confident in Jesus’ love and approval, our destiny matures, too. Then those who desire the kingdom will come to us. We become a place where others receive what God imparts.

Here’s an additional thought about mustard seeds. They grow into bushes, not trees. Although they can reach a height of 12 feet in warm climates, and birds can certainly build nests in them, the word “tree” in the Greek can be translated “oak.” So how do we interpret that?

Here’s my take on it.  God gives us the ability to become more than we think we are. God will  “…bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3 NIV

You may start humbly as a mustard seed, but as a new creation being, you can become a mighty oak of righteousness who brings forth God’s kingdom on earth.

Let’s get started. Our destiny door is in the floor.